Nigeria eyes 1m global outsourcing jobs by 2030

The Federal Government has set a target of creating one million export-linked jobs by 2030 as it seeks to position Nigeria as a major hub for the global outsourcing industry.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed the target at the global launch of the Hire From Nigeria campaign in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Shettima’s address was delivered by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.

The Vice President said the global outsourcing market was projected to surpass $1tn in the coming years, presenting an opportunity for Nigeria to generate employment and earn foreign exchange by exporting services and talent.

He said Nigeria’s large youthful population, English-speaking workforce and growing pool of digitally skilled professionals gave the country an opportunity to compete for a larger share of the market.

“Therefore, I put it to you plainly: Nigeria is the next frontier for global outsourcing,” Shettima said.

He described the outsourcing industry as one of the major avenues for transferring economic opportunities across borders, noting that Africa currently accounts for only a small portion of the global market.

The Hire From Nigeria campaign is a private sector-led and government-supported initiative designed to connect Nigerian professionals, digital workers, creatives and other skilled service providers with international employers and clients.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the initiative was consistent with the Federal Government’s focus on youth employment, services and digital trade.

Oduwole said the government was collaborating with the private sector to strengthen Nigeria’s talent pipeline and prepare more workers to participate in the international services market.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said Nigeria had failed to fully capitalise on the first wave of global outsourcing between 25 and 30 years ago.

He said the government was determined to avoid a repeat by implementing education reforms designed to equip Nigerians with skills that could create economic opportunities locally and internationally.

President and co-founder of Tech4Dev, Joel Ogunsola, said Africa’s outsourcing market was expanding at a rate three times faster than comparable global markets.

According to him, about 20,000 Nigerians are currently employed by domestic and international outsourcing companies in areas including customer operations, technology, data management and specialised services.

Ogunsola said the campaign would make Nigerian professionals more visible to international employers while helping to build confidence in the country’s talent pool.

The Hire From Nigeria campaign was nationally launched in Abuja on August 31 and is being led by Tech4Dev and Univelcity in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment through the National Talent Export Programme.