Enugu, Humatrix sign deal to create 100,000 jobs in five years

The Enugu State Government has signed a partnership agreement with Humatrix Limited to create more than 100,000 jobs through a business process outsourcing (BPO) hub planned for the state.

The project will begin with a 750-seat centre, expand to more than 2,000 seats within its first year and target 100,000 jobs within five years, according to the company.

The agreement was signed at Government House, Enugu, as part of Governor Peter Mbah’s drive to attract private investment, diversify the state’s economy and create employment opportunities for young people.

Speaking at the ceremony, Humatrix Director, Dakuku Peterside, said Enugu was selected because of its investment climate, policy consistency and the state government’s commitment to economic development.

“It was very easy for us to choose Enugu. Enugu is investing, and there is consistency. Most importantly, we have a supportive environment. These are core things any business would request to scale,” Peterside said.

He said the initiative would provide employment while equipping young people with digital and technological skills needed to work with companies in Nigeria and abroad.

Peterside added that the state government had provided a building for the centre’s take-off, with recruitment and training opportunities expected to be opened to interested youths.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on MSME and Digital Economy, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, said the partnership was part of the Enugu Talent City Initiative, designed to position the state as a leading destination for digital services and outsourcing in Nigeria and Africa.

He said the initiative would support Mbah’s ambition to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn by attracting international companies, creating jobs and connecting skilled residents to global employment opportunities.

Chilo-Offiah also disclosed that the state was targeting an outsourcing ecosystem with up to 300,000 seats by 2031, building on the initial 750-seat centre.

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Governor Mbah said the partnership reflected his administration’s commitment to ensuring that young people could acquire relevant skills and secure rewarding jobs without leaving the state in search of opportunities.

He disclosed that more than 33 per cent of the state’s expenditure was allocated to human capital development, including education, skills acquisition and workforce preparation.

The governor said investments in talent development must be matched with companies capable of employing skilled workers, stressing that private capital would be essential to achieving the state’s economic growth ambitions.

Mbah also highlighted plans for a proposed Talent City and Digital Industrial Park, which he said could support further expansion of the state’s digital economy.

“We want the ‘japa’ where we can stay in Enugu and serve companies across the world, anywhere in the world,” he said.

The governor said the initiative was intended to enable young people to earn competitive incomes while living in Enugu, linking investment in education and skills to productive employment.