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By Zika Bobby
Nigeria has formally launched its global Hire From Nigeria campaign, targeting the creation of one million export-linked jobs by 2030 as the country positions itself as the world’s next primary hub for business process outsourcing (BPO) and tech capabilities.
The launch took place in New York on September 24 on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, following an initial national rollout in Abuja on August 31.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, framed the campaign as a strategic response to global labor shortages.
“While much of the industrialised world grows older and quietly wonders who will fill the productivity vacuum, Nigeria produces every single year a new generation of digitally fluent, English-speaking, ambitious young men and women. The global market for outsourced services will be worth over a trillion dollars in a few years… Africa’s share of it remains barely a rounding error. Nigeria is the next frontier for global outsourcing,” the Vice President stated.
Hire From Nigeria is a private sector-led, government-backed initiative spearheaded by Tech4Dev and Univelcity in collaboration with the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, noted that the initiative aligns directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s core priorities: youth empowerment, job creation, services, and digital trade.
Addressing past missed opportunities, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa emphasised that Nigeria is reforming its education sector to align directly with workforce requirements.
“Nigeria missed the first wave of outsourcing 25 to 30 years ago and is determined not to miss this one. Reforms underway aim to change the value chain of education… so people are learning to provide solutions and learning to earn,” Alausa said.
To support international hiring security, Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, detailed ongoing legislative and operational reforms to roll out digital credentials that are verifiable both domestically and internationally.
According to Joel Ogunsola, President and co-founder of Tech4Dev, domestic and international BPO operations currently employ approximately 20,000 Nigerians.
“Africa’s outsourcing market is growing three times faster than comparable global markets. If you’re an international business looking to set up and hire in Nigeria, Hire From Nigeria will support you,” Ogunsola noted.
The launch drew delegates across the technology, healthcare, financial, and educational sectors, alongside heads of key Nigerian state agencies including NITDA, NASENI, SEC, FRC, and Galaxy Backbone Limited.
