The Nigerian Government has relaunched its National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) with ambitious targets to generate over one million direct export-linked jobs and attract at least $1 billion in foreign investment, aiming to establish Nigeria as a leading player in the global services economy.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the revitalised initiative seeks to connect Nigeria’s skilled youth to the booming $1 trillion global outsourcing market through structured, ethical pathways for talent export.
Key sectors prioritized under NATEP include technology, business process outsourcing (BPO), healthcare, creative industries, and remote work.
Originally introduced 18 months ago during the United Nations General Assembly, the programme has been repackaged into a comprehensive ecosystem approach featuring clearer frameworks, refined policy directions, and fresh leadership.
Speaking at the relaunch event held at Itana in Alaro City a new digital special economic zone in Lagos Minister Jumoke Oduwole emphasized the programme’s pivotal role in boosting non-oil exports, job creation, and foreign exchange inflows.
“This initiative represents Nigeria’s bold effort to establish itself as a competitive hub for skilled talent in global services,” Oduwole said. “We’re not just opening our doors, we’re raising our standards.”
The government aims to facilitate one million direct jobs and up to five million indirect jobs within five years. It also plans to train 10 million Nigerians in globally recognized digital and professional certifications and incentivize outsourcing and IT-enabled service companies to expand operations locally.
As part of the relaunch, the Ministry signed a strategic agreement with private sector partners, including Itana and Alaro City, targeting an initial creation of 100,000 jobs across key high-impact sectors.
“NATEP is how we scale, not through theory, but through execution,” Oduwole said. “When the public and private sectors unite around a shared vision, world-class results are possible right here in Nigeria.”
The programme also focuses on developing a national talent database, reforming policies to support remote service exports, and collaborating with international outsourcing platforms to connect Nigerian workers with global demand.
Appointed National Coordinator of NATEP is Teju Abisoye, a development finance expert with 20 years’ experience in youth employment and enterprise development. She is tasked with driving implementation, strengthening partnerships, and delivering results at scale.
NATEP aligns closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader economic agenda to diversify exports, upgrade digital infrastructure, and promote trade in services under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The government believes Nigeria’s youthful, English-speaking population, favorable time zone, and improving digital infrastructure position the country to capitalize on global outsourcing trends.
Beyond job creation, officials project that the service export economy could contribute 4 to 5 percent of Nigeria’s GDP annually if targets are met.
For young Nigerians, the message was clear.
“This programme is about you, for you, and with you,” Oduwole declared. “The future of work isn’t somewhere else, it’s being built here.”
