The National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) has recorded significant milestones in policy reform, institutional development, and international collaboration one year after its strategic relaunch, positioning Nigeria as a leading player in the global services export economy.

A major breakthrough for the programme came in November 2025 when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports (NCMSE), creating a formal governance framework aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration, aligning national policies with global digital trade standards, and accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s services export sector.

The mechanism has since provided a unified institutional framework that brings together key agencies and programmes under a common services export agenda. It has improved coordination among stakeholders such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Outsource To Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), and major talent development programmes including 3MTT, while positioning talent development as a strategic driver of Nigeria’s competitiveness in global services exports.

Building on this momentum, NATEP, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), launched the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network (NTAN) in Lagos. The initiative, co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Education, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and Flour Mills of Nigeria, formally integrates Nigeria into the WEF Global Accelerators Network.
The development is expected to strengthen collaboration among public, private and development sector stakeholders in implementing a unified national workforce development roadmap.

Speaking on the programme’s achievements, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the global economy is increasingly being shaped by countries’ ability to develop talent, build knowledge-based industries, and participate in high-value services markets.

She noted that Africa has a unique opportunity to become a leading contributor to the global talent economy, adding that NATEP is laying the foundation for Nigeria to lead the transition through strategic partnerships, human capital development, and increased participation in international services trade.

As part of efforts to deepen international engagement, NATEP activated a country-partner mandate under the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Survey. The initiative seeks to mobilise business leaders and ensure Nigeria’s labour market realities are reflected in global workforce assessments and benchmarking exercises.

The programme has also commenced work on an innovative financing framework designed to support talent development and export-led growth. The proposed financing structure combines public investment with outcomes-based private capital to create a sustainable funding model tailored to Nigeria’s workforce and economic priorities.

In another significant development, NATEP, working alongside the Nigeria Outsourcing Association, partnered with global business services stakeholders to align the association with international best practices, further enhancing Nigeria’s reputation as a preferred destination for outsourcing services.

On the domestic policy front, NATEP submitted a zero draft of Nigeria’s National Outsourcing Policy to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in March 2026 for inter-ministerial review. The policy is expected to provide a comprehensive framework for the development of the outsourcing sector, which is considered critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.

The programme has also advanced implementation across its Demand, Supply, and Enabling Environment Technical Working Groups, with leadership structures established, implementation plans developed, and talent development pathways validated.

Notably, the Enabling Environment Technical Working Group has adopted World Trade Organisation (WTO) and General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) taxonomy standards while identifying five priority digital export sectors: Software and SaaS, Data and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Fintech, and Business Process Outsourcing/IT-Enabled Services (BPO/ITES).

According to the National Coordinator of NATEP, Teju Abisoye, the programme remains committed to positioning Nigeria as a premier global talent hub through policy reforms, strategic partnerships, and workforce development initiatives.

He said the programme’s long-term objectives include creating one million direct export-linked jobs, generating millions of indirect employment opportunities, attracting significant investments, and equipping Nigerians with globally recognised skills and certifications.

Abisoye added that Nigeria is not only preparing for the future of work but is also establishing the policy and institutional foundations required to compete and lead in the evolving global services economy.

As NATEP enters the next phase of its development, the programme plans to focus on large-scale implementation, including operationalising its private sector-backed financing framework, advancing the National Outsourcing Policy through the approval process, and leveraging the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network to strengthen workforce outcomes and boost Nigeria’s position in the global services export market