The Federal Government has launched the Hire from Nigeria initiative to position the country as a global source of skilled professionals and digitally delivered services.
Trade and Investment Minister Jumoke Oduwole unveiled the programme alongside senior officials from the ministries of Information and Education.
The initiative is intended to create more opportunities for Nigerians to work remotely for international employers while remaining in the country.
It is being implemented with private-sector partners including Tech4Dev and the National Talent Export Programme office.
Oduwole described Hire from Nigeria as an economic proposition designed to convert Nigeria’s large youthful population into jobs, service exports and investment.
She said the government planned to promote the initiative internationally, including at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the government was strengthening the talent pipeline through curriculum reform, technical and vocational education and digital skills development.
He said more than 70 per cent of Nigerians were under 30 and argued that remote and technology-enabled work could help convert that demographic profile into an economic advantage.
Alausa also announced plans for a Digital Technology Academy to train more than 35,000 Nigerians.
The proposed programme will cover software development methods, cybersecurity, IT automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, natural language processing and related technical fields.
Participants are expected to receive certification after six to eight months of training.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the global economy increasingly allowed skills and professional services to cross borders without workers physically relocating.
He said Nigeria’s growing pool of professionals and expanding digital capabilities positioned the country to compete in that market.
The initiative is expected to complement existing government programmes aimed at expanding digital skills, talent exports and remote employment.
Its success will depend on training quality, certification, global employer participation and Nigeria’s ability to build trust around productivity and service delivery.
