By Adeola Kunle
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has said Nigeria’s education and skills development reforms are being repositioned to prepare young Nigerians for employment opportunities in the global economy without requiring them to relocate outside the country.
Alausa spoke at the official launch of the “Hire From Nigeria” Campaign, where he said the initiative represents a practical component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and a strategic effort to convert Nigeria’s large youthful population into a skilled and productive economic force.
According to the Minister, the Federal Ministry of Education is strengthening the supply of skilled, certified and industry-ready Nigerians who can compete effectively for international jobs and provide professional services to employers across the world while operating from Nigeria.
He explained that the ongoing reforms are placing stronger emphasis on practical and skills-based education, disclosing that more than 200,000 Nigerians are currently receiving training across over 1,200 skills training centres.
Alausa noted that the training programmes are increasingly structured around an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical model, with participants assessed and certified through appropriate national skills certification processes.
The Minister also drew attention to the planned Digital Technology Academy, which is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation. The academy is expected to train more than 35,000 Nigerians in areas including software development, cybersecurity, IT automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, natural language processing, cloud computing and quantum computing.
He said the programme, which is expected to run for between six and eight months, will offer professional certifications aimed at improving participants’ access to international technology employment and business opportunities.
Alausa further disclosed that collaboration with leading global technology companies is expanding digital learning opportunities in Nigerian tertiary institutions. He cited Amazon Web Services (AWS) as one of the partners, noting that almost 50 tertiary institutions have already been enrolled in the AWS Online Academy.
NATEP targets one million export-linked jobs
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, formally announced the Hire From Nigeria Campaign, describing it as a market-oriented initiative designed to showcase Nigerian professionals and service providers to international employers, outsourcing firms and investors.
Oduwole said the campaign is being implemented through the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) in collaboration with private-sector and development partners, with a target of generating one million export-linked jobs by 2030.
She said Nigeria already has a considerable pool of professionals, a rapidly expanding technology ecosystem, a strong services sector and a favourable strategic time zone. She explained that the major task is to turn these advantages into international contracts, foreign exchange earnings and increased investment.
According to her, NATEP, working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has developed a digital services survey and directory that identifies Nigerian service providers across 17 sectors.
She disclosed that 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. Established firms covered by the survey, she added, already operate in an average of 2.6 international markets.
Oduwole further announced that Nigeria will present the Hire From Nigeria proposition to the international community during the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 24, at the Nigerian House in New York.
She said the event is expected to provide an avenue for global employers, Business Process Outsourcing buyers, investors and strategic partners to explore opportunities for hiring Nigerian talent, securing contracts and investing in the country.
Idris promises communication support
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the campaign reflects the changing structure of global trade, where knowledge, professional expertise, creativity and digital services can be exchanged internationally without the physical movement of goods.
Idris pledged the support of his Ministry in communicating and promoting the Hire From Nigeria initiative both within Nigeria and internationally.
He identified Nigeria’s youthful population, English-language proficiency, entrepreneurial spirit and expanding technology and creative industries as important advantages that could help the country secure a stronger position in the global services economy.
Dare commends practical skills drive
Former Minister and Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Sunday Dare, commended Alausa for demonstrating measurable progress in the education sector and supporting the transition from a predominantly theoretical approach to one that gives greater attention to practical and technical skills.
Dare said Nigeria’s young and increasingly technology-oriented population has the potential to develop globally competitive technology and outsourcing industries if young people receive the right training and are effectively connected to international markets.
He described education as a major tool for reducing poverty, expanding opportunities for young people and accelerating economic transformation.
NATEP building structures for talent exports
The Senior Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and NATEP, Office of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olajumoke Dan-Okayi, explained that NATEP is developing the institutional framework needed to increase Nigeria’s participation in the international talent and services export market.
She identified the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports, the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network and Nigeria’s participation as a Country Partner for the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2026 as some of the programme’s important components.
Dan-Okayi 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 other forms of digitally delivered work.
Tech4Dev identifies access barriers
The Founder and President of Tech4Dev, Mr. Joel Ogunsola, said Nigeria has developed a large pool of professionals and skilled workers who contribute to economies around the world, but the country has not done enough to commercially harness the value of its human capital.
He said the Hire From Nigeria Campaign is expected to address challenges relating to the discoverability, trust and accessibility of Nigerian talent.
According to him, the initiative will create clearer pathways through which graduates, technically trained workers, digital professionals, non-graduates and creatives can connect with international employers and secure opportunities while remaining in Nigeria.
Multiple ministries and partners involved
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 sustain its reforms aimed at making education more practical, industry-responsive and better aligned with the changing demands of the workplace.
He said greater attention would continue to be given to technical, vocational and digital education, as well as skills development and certification.
The Minister maintained that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to transforming Nigeria’s youthful population into a skilled, productive and globally connected workforce capable of creating economic value within Nigeria while contributing significantly to the international economy.
Adeola Kunle
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