The Federal Government has intensified efforts to position Nigerian youths for employment opportunities in the global labour market through the “Hire From Nigeria” Campaign, an initiative designed to connect skilled Nigerians with international employers while enabling them to work and earn from within the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, said the initiative represents a practical dimension of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that Nigeria’s large youthful population must be transformed into a skilled, productive and globally competitive workforce.

Alausa spoke at the official launch of the Hire From Nigeria Campaign, where he called for stronger alignment between Nigeria’s education and skills development system and the rapidly changing demands of the global economy.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education is strengthening the pipeline of skilled, certified and industry-ready Nigerians who can compete effectively for international employment and deliver professional services to global clients without having to relocate abroad.

The Minister disclosed that more than 200,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing training across over 1,200 skills training centres nationwide.

He noted that the training programmes are increasingly adopting an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical model, with participants assessed and certified through relevant national skills certification processes.

Alausa also highlighted the planned Digital Technology Academy, being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, which is expected to train more than 35,000 Nigerians in emerging and high-demand technology fields.

The areas of training, he said, would include software development, cybersecurity, IT automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, natural language processing, cloud computing and quantum computing.

He explained that the six-to-eight-month programme would equip participants with professional certifications aimed at improving their access to international technology jobs and contracts.

The Minister further disclosed that partnerships with global technology companies were expanding digital training opportunities in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with nearly 50 institutions already onboarded onto the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Online Academy.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, formally announced the launch of the Hire From Nigeria Campaign.

Oduwole described the campaign as a market-facing initiative designed to showcase Nigerian talent and services to international employers, outsourcing companies and investors.

She said the campaign is being implemented through the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) in partnership with private-sector and development partners, with an ambitious target of creating one million export-linked jobs by 2030.

According to her, Nigeria already has a substantial professional workforce, a growing technology ecosystem, a strong services sector and a strategically advantageous time zone.

She said the priority was to convert these advantages into international contracts, export earnings and increased investment.

Oduwole disclosed that NATEP, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), had developed a digital services survey and directory mapping Nigerian service providers across 17 sectors.

She said more than 90 per cent of the businesses surveyed are headquartered in Nigeria, while 41 per cent of digital entrepreneurs are below the age of 35.

She added that established Nigerian firms already serve an average of 2.6 international markets, demonstrating the country’s growing capacity to compete in the global services economy.

The Minister said the Hire From Nigeria proposition would be presented to the international market during the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 24, at the Nigerian House in New York.

She explained that the event would provide an opportunity for global employers, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) buyers, investors and strategic partners to explore opportunities for hiring Nigerian talent, awarding contracts and investing in the country’s services sector.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the Hire From Nigeria initiative reflects the changing nature of international trade, where knowledge, skills, creativity and professional services can be delivered across borders without the movement of physical goods.

Idris pledged the support of his Ministry in communicating and promoting the campaign both nationally and internationally.

He identified Nigeria’s youthful population, English-language proficiency, entrepreneurial culture and expanding technology and creative industries as major advantages that could strengthen the country’s position in the global services economy.

Former Minister and Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Sunday Dare, commended the Minister of Education for what he described as measurable progress in the sector, particularly the shift from predominantly theoretical education towards practical and technical skills.

Dare said Nigeria’s young and technology-driven population could build globally competitive technology and outsourcing industries if effectively trained and connected to international markets.

He described education as a critical instrument for reducing poverty, creating opportunities for young people and driving sustainable economic transformation.

Providing further insight into the NATEP framework, the Senior Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and NATEP in the Office of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olajumoke Dan-Okayi, said the programme was establishing the institutional structures required to expand Nigeria’s participation in global talent and services exports.

She identified the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports, Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network, and Nigeria’s participation as a Country Partner for the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2026 as key components of the programme.

She also disclosed that the National Outsourcing Policy, expected in November 2026, would further strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in Business Process Outsourcing, Global Business Services and digitally delivered work.

The Founder and President of Tech4Dev, Mr. Joel Ogunsola, observed that Nigeria has produced professionals and skilled workers who contribute significantly to economies around the world but has not sufficiently commercialised the value of its talent domestically.

He said Hire From Nigeria would address critical barriers relating to discoverability, trust and access, while creating clearer pathways for graduates, technically trained workers, digital professionals, non-graduates and creatives to secure international opportunities from Nigeria.

The campaign brings together the Federal Ministries of Education; Industry, Trade and Investment; Information and National Orientation; Labour and Employment; and Foreign Affairs, alongside NATEP, Tech4Dev, the Bank of Industry’s iDICE programme, universities, private-sector organisations and development partners.

Alausa assured that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to deepen reforms aimed at making education more practical, industry-responsive and aligned with the changing world of work.

He said the Ministry would further strengthen technical, vocational and digital training and certification to ensure that Nigerian youths acquire the skills required to compete successfully in the international economy.

The Minister reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to transforming Nigeria’s youthful population into a skilled, productive and globally connected workforce capable of creating value at home while contributing meaningfully to the international economy.