FG to ramp up ‘Hire from Nigeria’ campaign on sidelines of UNGA

The federal government will make the case for Nigerian talent and homegrown technology services at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

In August, the federal government launched the “Hire from Nigeria” campaign to connect Nigerian professionals with international employers.

It is aimed at repositioning the country as a global hub for skilled talent and digitally delivered services.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oluwatoyin Ashipa, head of communications, Hire From Nigeria, said the campaign is a public-private sector initiative promoting Nigeria as a destination for globally employable talent and technology-enabled services.

Ashipa said a sideline event on the initiative will be held on the margins of the 81st UNGA.

Themed, “Impact sourcing as a driver of global trade and inclusive job creation,” the event would bring together Nigerian government officials, state governors, private-sector and technology leaders, international employers, investors and other partners.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to deliver the keynote address titled: “Setting the global trade and impact sourcing context; Nigeria’s positioning as the next outsourcing frontier.”

Jumoke Oduwole, minister of industry, trade and investment, said the initiative is aimed at translating Nigeria’s talent pool into greater participation in global trade.

“Our priority is to translate Nigeria’s talent into greater participation in global trade,” Oduwole said.

“Through Hire From Nigeria, we are working with the private sector to connect Nigerian professionals and service providers with international demand.”

She said the initiative is expected to create commercial opportunities, expand services exports and generate jobs in Nigeria.

Joel Ogunsola, founder of Tech4Dev, said the country needs to move beyond recognition for the size of its workforce to demonstrate the value Nigerian talent can create globally.

“Hire From Nigeria is about making that value visible and connecting Nigerian capabilities to the businesses and markets that need them,” he said.

The campaign is championed by the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment through the national talent export programme (NATEP), alongside other government institutions and private-sector organisations.

The statement said the initiative is expected to contribute to services exports, foreign exchange earnings, business growth and job creation by connecting Nigerian professionals and businesses to international demand.

Among those expected to attend the session are Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos; Mohammed Bago, governor of Niger state; Tunji Alausa, minister of education; Bisoye Coker Odusote, director-general of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); and Rosy Fynn, country director of Mastercard Foundation Nigeria.