Toba Owojaiye reportingÂ
Abuja, NigeriaÂ
The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, in collaboration with Lab Four, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to channel 50,000 full-time Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) jobs to Nigeria over the upcoming three years. The agreement will be overseen by the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
During the signing ceremony held in Abuja yesterday, Dr. Femi Adeluyi, the National Coordinator of NATEP, emphasized that the initiative aims to position Nigeria as a prominent global hub for service exports and talent sourcing. He highlighted its significance as a catalyst for the development of both the BPO and talent export industries, integral to NATEP’s objectives.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Doris Uzoke, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, outlined the four-pronged objectives of NATEP. These include the ambitious goal of creating 1 million service-export jobs within the next five years, thereby boosting foreign exchange earnings and revenue for Nigeria. Additionally, the initiative aims to foster economic growth, stimulate ancillary industries and support services, enhance skills, and strengthen the Nigerian brand.
Truth Live News gathered that the Honorable minister further emphasized the potential economic impact of the partnership, estimating that it could annually attract up to $1.2 billion into the Nigerian economy through remuneration to employed individuals. Additionally, about $60 million is earmarked to bolster the BPO ecosystem through direct support to individual BPOs.
In essence, the collaboration between the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment and Lab Four, facilitated by NATEP, heralds a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to establish itself as a global leader in service exports and talent development.