The Federal Government has launched the “Hire From Nigeria” campaign, targeting the creation of one million export-linked jobs within five years as part of efforts to position the country as a global hub for skilled professionals and digitally delivered services.
The campaign, unveiled in Abuja by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, is designed to take advantage of Nigeria’s large youthful population and growing pool of professionals in technology, creative industries, business support and other knowledge-based sectors.
Idris, who spoke at the official presentation of the initiative, said Nigeria could no longer rely solely on traditional exports such as crude oil, agricultural products, solid minerals and manufactured goods.
According to him, the global economy has changed significantly, allowing skills, knowledge, creativity and professional services to be exported across borders without the physical movement of goods.
The minister said the initiative was a public-private partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Federal Ministry of Education; National Talent Export Programme (NATEP); Bank of Industry’s iDICE programme; Tech-for-Dev and other local and international private-sector partners.
He said the campaign would seek to make Nigeria a preferred destination for businesses and employers searching for quality talent and digitally delivered professional services.
“Nigeria has significant advantages in the global talent economy, including its large youthful population, growing pool of professionals, entrepreneurial culture, English-language proficiency, favourable time zone and expanding capabilities in technology, creative services and business support.
“Having talent is not enough. The world must know that the talent exists, and must have confidence in the quality of our professionals and businesses,” Idris said.
He stressed that effective communication would be critical to the success of the campaign, promising that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation would deploy its platforms, agencies and partnerships to showcase Nigerian talent to the world.
Idris disclosed that activities under the campaign would culminate in its global launch during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Nigeria would have the opportunity to showcase its human capital to the international community.
He said the campaign would target employers, investors and businesses around the world with the message that Nigeria was “open for business” and had skilled professionals capable of competing and collaborating in the global marketplace.
The minister urged young Nigerians to acquire relevant skills and take advantage of opportunities created by the digital economy, stressing that geographical location should no longer prevent Nigerians from participating in the global workforce.
He explained that Nigerians could live and work in the country while providing services to employers and clients anywhere in the world, provided they had the right skills, infrastructure, professional standards and access to international markets.
According to him, expanding talent exports would generate foreign exchange inflows and tax revenues while strengthening Nigeria’s skills and knowledge base.
Idris linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on job creation, economic diversification, skills development, youth empowerment and deeper integration into the global economy.
He, however, said the one-million-job target would require sustained collaboration among government agencies, private-sector operators, training institutions, employers, technology companies, young professionals and international markets.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy will increasingly be driven by the talent, creativity, skills and productivity of our people,” he said.
Idris added: “Nigeria is ready to compete on the global stage. Nigerian talent is ready to work. And the world should look to Nigeria.”
He commended the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, the NATEP team, Tech-for-Dev, iDICE and other partners for their contributions to the initiative.
The minister urged stakeholders to ensure that “Hire From Nigeria” goes beyond being a publicity campaign and becomes a sustainable global platform through which international employers can discover the skills, creativity, professionalism and potential of Nigerian workers.
