The most decisive of those milestones came in November 2025, when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports (NCMSE), creating a formal governance framework to strengthen inter-agency coordination, align national policy with global digital trade, and accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s services export sector.

Since its approval, the NCMSE has provided the institutional architecture for bringing together previously disconnected programmes, agencies, and stakeholders under a common services export agenda.

By fostering greater alignment among key institutions, including National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Outsource To Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), and flagship talent initiatives such as 3MTT, the mechanism is helping to improve policy coherence, streamline implementation, and position talent development as a strategic driver of Nigeria’s services export competitiveness.

Building on this foundation, the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network (NTAN) was officially launched in Lagos, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF).

It is co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Ministry of Education, along with private-sector leaders from Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Flour Mills of Nigeria. This formally enters Nigeria into the WEF Global Accelerators Network, uniting public, private, and development sectors behind a unified workforce roadmap.

“We are witnessing a shift in the global economy, where greater value and the competitive advantage will be determined by a nation’s ability to cultivate talent, harness deep knowledge-based industries, and participate in high-value services markets built seamlessly across borders. As Africa becomes a more integrated marketplace, the continent has a unique opportunity to emerge as the leading contributor to the world’s talent economy. NATEP is laying the foundation for Nigeria to lead this transition by unlocking the full potential of our human capital, strengthening international partnerships, and positioning Nigerian talent at the centre of the next era of global services trade,” said Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

NATEP also intensified efforts to deepen international partnerships that support Nigeria’s services export ambitions. Under the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Survey, a country-partner mandate was activated to mobilise senior business leaders and ensure Nigeria’s labour market realities are reflected in global workforce assessments and benchmarking exercises.

Concurrently, NATEP has commenced the development of an innovative financing framework to support talent development and export-led growth. The proposed four-layer capital stack combines catalytic public investment with outcomes-linked private capital, adapting global financing models to Nigeria’s economic realities and workforce priorities.

NATEP working with the Nigeria Outsourcing Association also partnered with the Global Business Services sector to streamline the Association in line with global best practice, further strengthening Nigeria’s credentials as a premier hub for international services outsourcing.

These partnerships have been matched by equally significant progress on the domestic policy front. In March 2026, a zero draft of Nigeria’s National Outsourcing Policy was forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for interministerial review, establishing the foundational architecture for a sector with transformative economic potential.

Across the programme’s Technical Working Groups (Demand, Supply, and Enabling Environment), implementation plans have been formalised, workstream leadership structures established, and talent development pathways validated, helping to consolidate a coherent national framework for talent supply, workforce readiness, and export competitiveness.

The Enabling Environment Technical Working Group has adopted WTO/GATS taxonomy standards and mapped five priority digital export sectors- Software/SaaS, Data and AI, Cybersecurity, Fintech, and BPO/ITES- equipping Nigeria to compete aggressively in the highest-growth segments of global digital trade.

“Our mandate at NATEP is to position Nigeria as a premier global talent hub by building an enabling ecosystem through policy, platforms, promotion, and partnerships,” said Teju Abisoye, national coordinator of NATEP. “The progress achieved over the past year brings us closer to our strategic objectives of enabling one million direct export-linked jobs, supporting millions more indirect jobs, attracting significant investment into the sector, and equipping Nigerians with globally recognised skills and certifications. Nigeria is not only preparing for the future of work; it is helping build the policy and institutional foundations required to compete and lead in it.”

As NATEP enters its next phase, the programme’s focus shifts decisively toward implementation at scale: operationalising the Private Sector-backed financing framework, advancing the National Outsourcing Policy through the policy approval process, and mobilising the full capabilities of NTAN to deliver workforce outcomes that strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global services export economy.

Think about this: Tinubu wants to grow Nigeria’s net worth to a $1 trillion economy by 2030. While this shows ambition, it is much more a demonstration of audacity in leadership.

To achieve this, Tinubu says Nigeria must lean on and encourage local production. He believes that achieving food security is the sine qua non for advancing the nation’s economy through heavy investments in the agriculture value chain. He is pushing a Nigeria First, Buy-Nigeria policy. Some of his ministers and appointees are also singing the same local production hymn.

A quick fact-check shows that this is not new, especially since the commencement of the 4th Republic. President Olusegun Obasanjo, it has to be emphasised, laid a solid foundation to promote indigenous production of goods and services.

He did not chime Buy Nigeria, he lived it, implemented it and the results were profound. The results of Obasanjo’s Buy Nigeria policy manifested in diverse ways. Local patronage of indigenous fruit drinks and ban on imported ones; local production of airtime cards for GSM service providers; local patronage of locally assembled computers that gave a huge boost to local production of the same, such that some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) standardised their IT operations on indigenous computer hardware and software.

Sadly, despite the traction gained by indigenous products, the succeeding governments did not even sustain the Buy-Nigeria momentum.

Tinubu seems determined to do so. However, to achieve the noble ambition of a $1 trillion economy, President Tinubu must listen to key Nigerians who are not only employers of labour but are deeply committed to indigenous production as the key to unlocking the huge potential of the nation’s economy.

One of such Nigerians Tinubu must take heed to his advice is Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group whose refinery is the biggest single infrastructure project in Africa. Dangote, a major indigenous manufacturer, is not happy with the manner local companies are treated in Nigeria.

Dangote recently advocated for policies that protect indigenous industries and nurture them into mega corporations capable of generating jobs and fostering prosperity.

Addressing a gathering of manufacturers and investors in Abuja recently while delivering a keynote on ‘Rethinking Manufacturing in Nigeria’ at the Nigeria Manufacturers’ Summit, Dangote advocated a reversal of government policies that expose local players to vulnerabilities including continued importation of goods and services that are also produced in Nigeria. Such a lack of protection of indigenous players, usually in the form of a lack of patronage from the government and Nigerians, stunts the growth of these local players.

He cited countries where governments had to take drastic measures to protect their respective local markets.

These include the blocked sale of US steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, the blocked sale of six US port management companies to Dubai Ports World, restrictions on Chinese cranes at US ports, and the US imposition of tariffs such as 100% on Chinese EVs (electric vehicles), 50% on semiconductors, medical products, and solar panels.

There are other instances, including the restriction of Russia gas supply to Europe, which led European countries to increase coal usage despite opposition to fossil fuels; and the US government’s distribution of $39 billion in subsidies to incentivise local microchip production.

The above cases clearly show how respective governments deliberately protect their local players, not only to give them a head-start over competition but also to help them scale up on the path to profitability. Nigerian governments have been short on this.

Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Group, an African ICT unicorn, is yet another voice Tinubu should give ears to.

Ekeh, much like Dangote and others, has been a victim of serial blackmail and corporate bullying despite his undeniable sacrifice to create a digital culture in the Nigerian marketplace including education, media, banking, oil and gas, agriculture and other aspects of the economy.

His Computerise Nigeria project became the cornerstone for the establishment of digital hubs in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Ekeh believes that achieving a $1 trillion economy is possible but stressed that the current state of power delivery nationwide (an average of 4 hours per day according to the latest NBS data) cannot support the type of bullish industrialisation and local production that will bolster the nation’s economic trajectory to the trillion-dollar mark.

He warned that a situation where genuine players in local production and service delivery are bullied and blackmailed by unscrupulous private sector fringe players and public sector operators does not bode well for economic growth.

He urges more protection from government for the progressive and proven indigenous companies. He says the concept of Buy-Nigeria should be enforced, especially among MDAs.

While expressing confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to address the issue of blackmail, he suggested that Tinubu should aggressively pursue a policy that promotes patronage of indigenous manufacturers and service providers as a way of reflating the economy.

He said:

“It is evident that the core of the myriad challenges afflicting the nation today is our failure to develop local capacities. We must embrace self-sufficiency by consuming what we produce and supporting indigenous players across various sectors.”

He regretted that in spite of several local content policies established by the Federal Government, such policies are consistently disregarded by government employees and appointees, wondering why “we send our children to the world’s best institutions, where they excel, yet we overlook the products they create.”

He gave the example of the government of India, which effective November 1, 2023, placed restrictions on the importation of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers and ultra-small computers and servers with immediate effect.

This, according to him, was to boost local productivity both by multinationals operating in India and indigenous Indian companies to create more jobs, encourage proficiency, and discourage capital flight.

“Mr. President, I humbly appeal to you to be deliberate and decisive in encouraging indigenous producers and service providers across all sectors. This way, we create a market for indigenous products, build confidence in our economy and easily attract international investors. The way we treat our local investors will determine how many foreign investors we can attract,” he stated in an open letter to the President earlier this year. The voices of Dangote and Ekeh echo the voices of other indigenous players who have continued to deliver value amid vicious headwinds.

Speaking at the inaugural Domestic Investors Summit in Abuja recently, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, reaffirmed Tinubu’s determination to achieve the trillion-dollar economy.

She outlined targets for 2025, including $6 billion in foreign direct and portfolio investment, $6.5 billion in non-oil exports, a 20 per cent increase in trade value, and the creation of 200,000 export-led jobs.

This is grand. But the major pulley that will drive this growth is the recommendation of Dangote, Ekeh, and other indigenous players, which is that the government should, as a priority, protect local investors and entrepreneurs through patronage, a policy shift that encourages growth, and categorising such investors’ assets as national assets deserving of preservation.

*Gaya, a public policy analyst, writes from Kano.

The renewed programme is designed to tap into the $1 trillion global outsourcing industry by positioning Nigeria’s youth as a world-class talent pool for digital and professional services.

“What we celebrate today is not merely the launch of a program; it represents the continuation of a vision to position Nigeria as a global leader in the future of work and services,” said Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. “With digital transformation firmly embedded in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic vision, Nigeria is enhancing the infrastructure, systems, and policy tools necessary for an inclusive and innovation-driven future.”

In alignment with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, NATEP is designed to empower Nigeria’s youth, harness global service export opportunities, and drive inclusive economic transformation.

With a youthful, English-speaking population, a strategic time zone, and rapidly advancing digital infrastructure, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become a competitive global supplier of skilled talent.

Under the leadership of Dr. Oduwole, NATEP represents a strategic move to diversify Nigeria’s economy, boost foreign exchange earnings, and create sustainable employment.

The programme will focus on aggregating global demand and connecting it with Nigeria’s skilled workforce through structured and ethical talent export pathways.

The Ministry’s goal is to create 1 million direct export-linked jobs and up to 5 million indirect jobs within five years.

In addition, NATEP aims to attract over $1 billion in foreign direct investment to Nigeria’s growing service export economy.

This programme targets high-impact sectors such as technology, business process outsourcing (BPO), the creative economy, healthcare, professional services, and remote work.

As part of this relaunch, Mrs. Teju Abisoye has been appointed as the National Coordinator of NATEP. A development finance expert with over two decades of

experience, she has led major national employment initiatives and played key roles in government interventions, entrepreneurship support, and private sector engagement. Her leadership brings clarity, focus, and execution strength to the programme’s vision.

Speaking at the relaunch, Teju noted,

“Our mandate at NATEP is to position Nigeria as Africa’s peerless global talent hub by building an enabling ecosystem through policy, platforms, promotion, and partnerships. We would actualise this critical national objective by upskilling and enabling Nigeria’s teeming young human capital to take advantage of the $1 trillion global service trade, with soaring demand for digital services, outsourcing, and remote work. This is one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic interventions to tackle youth unemployment head-on, generate vital foreign exchange, and diversify our economy through service sector expansion”.

NATEP, a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has evolved from a basic outsourcing facilitator into a full-scale ecosystem enabler.

The programme will now drive policy reform, expand digital infrastructure, strengthen international partnerships, and create reliable talent pipelines that match global standards.

Key components of NATEP include:

• Training 10 million Nigerians in globally recognized digital and professional certifications
• Incentivizing BPO and IT-enabled service companies to expand operations in Nigeria
• Creating legal and ethical pathways for talent export in alignment with global labor needs
• Building a national talent database to map skills and track employment opportunities
• Partnering with global outsourcing platforms and employers to aggregate demand

In alignment with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, NATEP is designed to empower Nigeria’s youth, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and support inclusive economic transformation. With a youthful, English-speaking population,

strategic time zone, and growing digital infrastructure, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become a competitive global talent supplier.

Minister, NATEP Sign MoU with Alaro City and Itana

To mark this renewed direction, the Honourable Minister led a high-level delegation on an official visit to Alaro City, home to Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Special Economic Zone, on Friday, May 30, 2025.

The Minister also leveraged the visit to execute a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening public-private sector collaboration and showcasing the infrastructure and innovation ecosystem that will support the programme’s success.

Dr. Oduwole stated,

“I am proud to announce a significant milestone in this effort: the successful signing of a strategic agreement to create an initial 100,000 jobs across high-impact sectors — made possible through collaboration with platforms like Itana, Alaro City, and other partners to mark the beginning of a new phase of joint execution.”

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s minister of Industry, Trade and Investment said that the country remains a leading force in the ‘Africa’s Digital Trade Revolution’.

In her recent article shared by the African Media Agency (AMA), Dr. Oduwole said;

“Digital trade and trade in services are recognized as key drivers of Africa’s economic transformation, helping to diversify economies, increase competitiveness, and improve productivity”.

She emphasized:

“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to catalyze the creation of new job opportunities across various sectors, including services, manufacturing, and agriculture through regional trade.”

This aligns with a World Bank report highlighting that increased internet accessibility has the potential to drive job creation across African countries. AfCFTA is expected to play a significant role in the creation of new job opportunities across various sectors.

To achieve this, AfCFTA focuses on reducing trade barriers, cross-border investment and also aims to create a dynamic trade environment by expanding manufacturing bases and adoption of the Digital Trade Protocol.

This protocol aims to unite digital trade across member states, thereby reducing barriers and fostering a conducive environment for digital innovation, with the internet services sector contributing more to African GDP.

The Minister of Trade also identified the contribution of fintech, the creative economy, and e-commerce to the continent’s development, adding that:

“Digital finance, e-health, and e-learning are also growing rapidly in Africa. Driven by the increasing adoption of digital technologies and the need for innovative solutions to address the continent’s development challenges. Companies like Andela, valued at $1.5 billion, which provides remote work opportunities for African software developers, and Esusu, valued at $1 billion, which offers credit building services for tenants, are examples of this growth.”

However, several challenges have impacted the development of the digital economy. This includes regulatory fragmentation, inconsistent standards across borders which make it difficult for digital service providers to operate seamlessly across different countries, limited access to financing for digital services, and cybersecurity concerns.

To address these challenges and ensure the continuous growth of the digital economy, various solutions are being implemented.

“AfCfTA is currently harmonizing regulations and standards across the continent, facilitating the growth of digital trade. Also, initiatives like Afreximbank’s Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, the AfDB’s Digital Africa Initiative and World Bank’s Digital Economy for Africa initiative are working to improve digital infrastructure, enhance digital skills, and promote digital inclusion”, the Minister of Trade said.