The federal government has relaunched the National Talent Export Programme and named development finance specialist Teju Abisoye as director-general to further Nigeria’s renewed aspirations to take a sizable chunk of the $1 trillion global outsourcing market.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, announced the relaunch in Lagos on Friday and said the revamped programme is a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification strategy and youth empowerment agenda.
She said NATEP would create one million export-linked jobs and up to five million indirect jobs within five years while attracting over $1bn in foreign direct investment into Nigeria’s service export sector.
A statement by the minister’s media team said she led a high-level delegation to Alaro City, home to Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Special Economic Zone, where she said the government was now ready to match talent with global demand through structured, legal, and ethical pathways.
She said the country’s youthful, English-speaking population, growing digital infrastructure, and strategic time zone give Nigeria a competitive edge in global outsourcing and remote work.
The statement read, “The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has announced the relaunch of the National Talent Export Programme, a bold initiative led by the Honourable Minister, Dr Jumoke Oduwole. The renewed programme is designed to tap into the $1tn global outsourcing industry by positioning Nigeria’s youth as a world-class talent pool for digital and professional services.”
“In alignment with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, NATEP is designed to 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.
