Nigeria has set its sights on capturing a significant share of the global outsourcing market, with Vice President Kashim Shettima announcing a target of one million export-linked jobs by 2030. Speaking at the global launch of the Hire From Nigeria campaign in New York on September 24, Shettima highlighted Nigeria's potential to meet the world's growing demand for talent. The campaign aims to position Nigeria as a competitive global source of talent, services, and technology-enabled capabilities.
The Hire From Nigeria campaign is a private sector-led initiative supported by the government, designed to connect Nigerian professionals with global employers and markets. The campaign's launch in New York followed a national launch in Abuja on August 31, 2026. According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the campaign aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's priorities, focusing on youth, job creation, services, and digital trade.
Shettima emphasized that Nigeria is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for outsourced services, which is expected to be worth over $1 trillion in the near future. He noted that Africa's share of this market remains minimal and that Nigeria is poised to become a major player in the global outsourcing industry. The Vice President's keynote address was delivered on his behalf by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stressed the importance of education in Nigeria's bid to become a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030. He noted that the country missed the first wave of outsourcing 25-30 years ago and is determined not to miss this opportunity. Alausa highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at changing the education value chain, enabling Nigerians to acquire skills that meet the needs of the global market.
Joel Ogunsola, President and co-founder of Tech4Dev, noted that Africa's outsourcing market is growing three times faster than comparable global markets. He emphasized that the Hire From Nigeria campaign builds on existing efforts, with domestic and international outsourcing companies already employing an estimated 20,000 Nigerians across various sectors.
The Hire From Nigeria campaign seeks to make Nigerian talent more accessible to international businesses, providing a platform for Nigerian professionals to connect with global employers and clients. The campaign's organizers believe that this initiative will deepen Nigeria's participation in the global economy and create new opportunities for the country's skilled workforce.
As Nigeria continues to position itself as a major player in the global outsourcing industry, the government and private sector are working together to take full advantage of the opportunities ahead. With a focus on education, job creation, and digital trade, Nigeria aims to become a competitive force in the global market, capitalizing on the growing demand for outsourced services.
Key points
- Nigeria targets one million export-linked jobs by 2030 with the launch of the Hire From Nigeria campaign.
- The global outsourcing market is expected to be worth over $1 trillion in the near future.
- Africa's outsourcing market is growing three times faster than comparable global markets.
