The Federal Government has launched the “Hire from Nigeria” campaign, an initiative designed to position Nigeria as a preferred global destination for skilled talent and digitally delivered services.
This initiative will also create opportunities for Nigerians to work for international employers without leaving the country.
The campaign was unveiled on Monday at a press conference held at Radio House, Abuja, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, alongside the Ministers of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
Speaking at the event, Idris described the initiative as a significant step towards placing Nigeria’s human capital at the centre of the country’s engagement with the global economy.
“Today is an important step in Nigeria’s efforts to position one of our greatest national assets, our people, at the centre of our economic engagement with the world,” the minister said.
According to him, changes in the global economy have created opportunities for knowledge, skills, creativity and professional services to cross international borders without the physical movement of goods.
He said Nigeria was well positioned to take advantage of the emerging opportunities because of its youthful population, and expanding digital capabilities.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy will increasingly be driven by the talent, creativity, skills and productivity of our people. Nigeria is ready to compete on the global stage. Nigerian talent is ready to work. And the world should look to Nigeria,” Idris said.
The minister explained that the campaign brings together the Federal Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment and Education, the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative and private-sector partners to connect Nigerian professionals with global demand.
He described it as a public-private collaboration aimed at positioning Nigeria as a reliable global source of skilled talent and digitally delivered services.
Idris said the campaign aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s ambition to create one million export-linked jobs.
According to him, the initiative would enable young Nigerians to participate in the global economy without necessarily relocating abroad.
“A young Nigerian does not have to leave the country to participate in the global economy. With the right skills, infrastructure, professional standards, and access to markets, Nigerians can live and work and earn here at home, while providing valuable services to clients and employers worldwide,” he said.
The Minister of Education, Alausa, said his ministry was strengthening Nigeria’s talent pipeline through curriculum reforms, technical and vocational education, digital skills development and industry-focused training.
“The Ministry of Education commitment is wherever in the world, whoever in the world wants to hire, we want Nigerians to be trained, certified, and ready for the hire,” Alausa said.
On her part, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Oduwole, said the campaign would help transform Nigeria’s demographic advantage into jobs, exports and investment.
She stressed that the initiative went beyond communication, describing it as a national economic proposition.
“Hire from Nigeria is therefore much more than a communications campaign; it is a national economic proposition,” Oduwole said.
She added that the campaign would be presented to the international community at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, with the message that hiring Nigerian talent represents a commercially viable decision.
Also speaking, the Founder and President of Tech4Dev, Joel Ogunsola, said the initiative would help connect Nigeria’s large talent pool with growing international demand and translate skills into economic opportunities.
“Hire from Nigeria is a simple but powerful idea. Nigeria has the talent, the world has the demand. Our job is to bring the two together,” Ogunsola said.
He warned that talent without access to opportunities could become wasted potential, stressing the need to deliberately connect skilled Nigerians with international employers and markets.
The Federal Government said the campaign would connect Nigerian professionals, service providers and businesses with global employers, outsourcing companies, investors and international markets as part of its broader strategy to expand talent and services exports.
