In addition to its exports in mineral fields, cocoa beans, and Afrobeats, Nigeria wants to start exporting something new: people.
(Well, technically, their talent, but how else would I have baited you?)
Brain drain or brain gain? : The National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) has been relaunched by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and it is taking one of the country’s most valuable resources, human capital, global. This initiative, launched 18 months ago at a UN event, intends to tap into the $854 billion global outsourcing industry by positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of skills in technology, creative industries, healthcare, business process outsourcing (BPO), professional services, and remote work.
The initiative is backed by private sector partners like Itana, Alaro City, and Sterling Bank.
Why? Apparently, the world is hiring, and Nigeria is fluent in the language of opportunity with about 55% of the population being youths, a strategic time zone (similar to Europe), and growing digital skills in the country.
What’s in it for Nigeria? We can say it’s definitely good news for citizens who want to japa. In addition, this project will make Nigeria a key part of the modern global economy, where skills are just as important as physical products. It is an ambitious plan that aims to attract over $1 billion in foreign investments, 1 million export-linked jobs, and make services contribute to the GDP.
Zoomout: It sounds like a win until the questions start rolling in: Nigerians have heard big, shiny plans before. Will this one actually deliver? The country is already losing talent to other countries: can they really afford to export the talent they’re still struggling to keep?
And maybe the biggest question of all: who gets to control the narrative, the talent walking out, or the country learning how to cash in before they do?
