The Federal Government has unveiled the “Hire from Nigeria” campaign, positioning the country as a global hub for skilled talent and digitally delivered services, with a target of creating one million export-linked jobs over the next five years.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole described the initiative as far more than a publicity drive.
“Hiring from Nigeria is therefore much more than a communication campaign. It is a National Economic Proposition. Hiring from Nigeria is not an act of goodwill. It is a sound commercial decision that delivers capability, innovation, competitiveness, and value,” Oduwole said at the press conference in Abuja on Monday.
The campaign, launched alongside Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris and Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, aims to connect Nigerian professionals with international employers, outsourcing firms and investors without requiring them to relocate. It is designed to generate foreign exchange, expand tax revenues and convert Nigeria’s youthful demographic advantage into measurable economic gains.
Oduwole noted that the global economy now allows knowledge, skills and professional services to cross borders digitally. The initiative reframes Nigeria’s export story beyond oil and physical commodities toward human capital and digital services. It is being implemented through the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) in partnership with the Bank of Industry’s iDICE programme, Tech4Dev and other public and private stakeholders.
NATEP, working with the United Nations Development Programme, has already mapped Nigerian service providers across 17 sectors. More than 90 per cent of the businesses surveyed are headquartered in Nigeria, 41 per cent of digital entrepreneurs are under 35, and established firms already serve an average of 2.6 international markets.
The government plans to take the campaign to the global stage during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month, where Nigerian talent will be presented directly to international employers, business-process-outsourcing buyers and investors.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa said the initiative aligns with efforts to equip young Nigerians with globally relevant skills through curriculum reforms, vocational training and a planned Digital Technology Academy expected to train over 35,000 people in areas including software development, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning.
Idris emphasised that effective communication would be critical, assuring that government platforms would promote Nigerian professionals and businesses to the world with the message that the country is open for business and ready to compete.
Officials stressed that achieving the one-million-job target will require sustained collaboration among government, the private sector, training institutions and technology partners.
