Looking to tap into the $1 trillion global outsourcing industry by positioning Nigeria’s youth as a world-class talent pool for digital and professional services, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has relaunched the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
   
FMITI minister, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the programme will empower Nigeria’s youth, harness global service export opportunities and drive inclusive economic transformation. 
   
“With a youthful, English-speaking population, a strategic time zone, and rapidly advancing digital infrastructure, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become a competitive global supplier of skilled talent,” she said.
   
Oduwole added that NATEP will diversify Nigeria’s economy, boost FX earnings, support inclusive economic transformation and create sustainable employment. The programme, she said, will focus on aggregating global demand and connecting it with Nigeria’s skilled workforce through structured and ethical talent export pathways.
   
Launched on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 18 months ago, she revealed that the program is now stronger, sharper and globally aligned.
   
The minister said their goal is to create a million direct export-linked jobs and up to five million indirect jobs in five years. In addition, she said the programme aimed to attract over $1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Nigeria’s growing service export economy, by targeting high-impact sectors such as technology, business process outsourcing (BPO), the creative economy, healthcare, professional services and remote work.
   
As part of this relaunch, Teju Abisoye has been appointed as the National Coordinator of the programme.   Oduwole added that the programme will drive policy reform, expand digital infrastructure, strengthen international partnerships and create reliable talent pipelines that match global standards.

“Key components of NATEP include training 10 million Nigerians in globally recognised digital and professional certifications; incentivising BPO and IT-enabled service companies to expand operations in Nigeria; creating legal and ethical pathways for talent export in alignment with global labour needs; building a national talent database to map skills and track employment opportunities as well as partnering with global outsourcing platforms and employers to aggregate demand,” she said.
   
In furtherance of the goal to create more jobs and strengthen public-private sector collaboration, the Minister visited Alaro City, home to Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Special Economic Zone. Oduwole also said she intended to showcase the infrastructure and innovation ecosystem that will support the programme’s success. 
 
“I am proud to announce a significant milestone in this effort; the successful signing of a strategic agreement to create an initial 100,000 jobs across high-impact sectors; made possible through collaboration with platforms like Itana, Alaro City and other partners,” she stated.