The Federal Government has officially launched the 'Hire from Nigeria' campaign, a strategic initiative to market the country as a premier source of skilled professionals and digital services for international employers, enabling Nigerians to earn foreign currency without leaving home. The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press conference held at Radio House, Abuja, on Monday, August 31. This campaign is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and is directly tied to a government target of creating one million export-linked jobs.
Government's Vision and Ministerial Statements
Minister Idris emphasized the campaign's alignment with the President's broader economic vision. "The future of Nigeria's economy will increasingly be driven by the talent, creativity, skills and productivity of our people," he stated. He further explained that the initiative is designed to allow Nigerians to participate in the global economy from within the country. "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," Idris added.
The campaign brings together the Federal Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Education, alongside the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), the iDICE initiative, and various private-sector partners. Its primary goal is to make Nigerian professionals easier for international clients and outsourcing companies to find, verify, and hire.
Addressing the Core Challenge of Access
Mrs. Olajumoke Dan-Okayi, Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications and NATEP, highlighted that the campaign addresses a fundamental issue of market access rather than a shortage of talent. "It's not the talent, it's not the ambition. It's discoverability, trust and global access," she said. This statement underscores the campaign's focus on building international trust and visibility for Nigerian professionals.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, revealed plans to promote the campaign at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where Nigeria will pitch its workforce directly to a global audience. "Hiring from Nigeria is not an act of goodwill. It is a sound commercial decision that delivers capability, innovation, competitiveness, and value," she said, positioning the initiative as a commercially advantageous choice for international employers.
Education and Skills Development for Global Demand
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, detailed ongoing efforts to prepare Nigerians for global market demands through curriculum reforms, vocational training, and digital skills programmes. "Wherever in the world, whoever in the world wants to hire, we want Nigerians to be trained, certified, and ready for the hire," he stated, emphasizing the ministry's commitment to aligning education with international employment standards.
Joel Ogunsola, Founder and President of Tech4Dev, also addressed the event, warning about the consequences of unconnected talent. "Nigeria has the talent, the world has the demand. Our job is to bring the two together. Because talent that is not connected to opportunity becomes frustration," he said, reinforcing the campaign's role as a bridge between Nigerian professionals and global opportunities.
High-Level Attendance and Broader Context
The launch was attended by several senior officials, including the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Dr. Sunday Dare; the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Comrade Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos; and the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama, along with other senior government figures and private-sector leaders. Their presence underscores the cross-ministerial and multi-sectoral support for the initiative.
In a related development, Legit.ng previously reported that President Tinubu approved the employment of 3,252 Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers into the Federal Civil Service, offering permanent positions to educators who had worked up to 25 years in federal schools without job security. Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa announced this decision on Thursday, August 6, through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah. These actions collectively highlight the administration's focus on both domestic employment and international competitiveness.
