SHETTIMA PROMOTES NIGERIA AS GLOBAL OUTSOURCING DESTINATION

Vice President Kashim Shettima has presented Nigeria as a potential major destination for global outsourcing, highlighting the country’s large pool of young, English-speaking and digitally skilled professionals.

Shettima made the pitch at the global launch of the Hire From Nigeria campaign in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. His keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.

The Vice President said the Federal Government was targeting one million export-linked jobs by 2030, compared with an estimated 20,000 Nigerians currently working for domestic and international outsourcing companies.

He said the global outsourced services market was expected to exceed $1tn in the coming years and argued that Nigeria was well positioned to secure a larger share of the market.

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

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the initiative brought together the government’s priorities on youth development, job creation, services and digital trade.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said Nigeria had missed an earlier opportunity in the global outsourcing industry and was determined to take advantage of the current expansion.

He said ongoing education reforms were focused on ensuring Nigerians acquire skills that match the demands of employers and the global labour market.