*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the recent 78th United Nations General Assembly, in New York, unveils Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme to create opportunities for youth employment, address needs and challenges in talent and service export industry, as as well boost the country’s Foreign Exchange earnings

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

In a move to boost Nigeria鈥檚 Foreign Exchange (Forex) earnings, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in the United States (US), has launched the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

绿帽献妻 reports the unveiling of the programme took place Friday, September 22, 2023, in the Microsoft Office, in New York.

Some of the dignitaries at the launch of NATEP, in New York

President Tinubu was represented at the launch of NATEP in the US by Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment (ITI).

The government disclosed the fresh initiative seeks to position Nigeria as an export hub for talent outsourcing in Africa, following the shining examples of other developing economies, such as India, Bangladesh, Mexico and The Philippines in this regard.

At the activation of NATEP, several dignitaries from multilateral institutions and global technology giants joined the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment and Dr. Bosun Tijani, her counterpart from the Federal Ministry Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy.

Among those who attended were Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Mr. John G. Coumantaros, Chairman, US-Nigeria Business Council, Dr. Floriezelle Liser, President and Chief Executive, Corporate Council on Africa, Amal Hassan, Chief Executive, Outsource Global, and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Other participants are Adaora Ikenze, Meta Head of Public Policy for West and Central Africa, Ola Williams, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, who joined online, Joel Ogunsola, Chief Executive, TechDev, and Dr. Femi Adeluyi, National Coordinator of the programme.

Also present at the event were Ursula Wynhoven, Representative of the International Telecommunication Union at the United Nations, Dr. Armstrong Takang, Chief Executive of Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Mr. Charles Murito, Director, Sub Saharan Africa 鈥� Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google, Mr. Charles Okochu, Senior Business Development Manager, Amazon AWS, and Michelle Masuzyo Nsanzumuco, AfCFTA Digital Trade Expert.

Objectives of NATEP initiative

Presenting her welcome address on behalf of President Tinubu, Dr. Uzoka-Anite stressed that the new National Talent Export Programme is a key national initiative that will serve as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to position Nigeria as a leading global hub for service exports, talent sourcing and exports.

The Minister also explained that NATEP would serve as a dedicated entity to address the unique needs and challenges faced by the talent and service export industry in the country.

She said that the fresh programme would lay special emphasis on enhancing competitiveness, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable growth through trade in services.

Uzoka-Anite as well disclosed that NATEP is part of the strategy towards achieving Tinubu鈥檚 agenda for job creation.

The NATEP initiative will target the creation of 1 million in-demand jobs across Nigeria, over a 5-year period, she stated.

The Minister pointed out “this initiative will do three things for us as a country: One, it will create millions of jobs for our young people over the next 5 years and beyond.

“Two, it will bring in Foreign Exchange that our economy needs through remittances from talents that will be exported abroad, and those that will be living in Nigeria and working remotely for organisations outside Nigeria.

“And third, it will generate huge tax income for state governments.”

Also in her goodwill message on the occasion,聽 Zahidi of the World Economic Forum, said NATEP is a timely initiative to address the very important areas of skills and jobs for Nigeria and the global world.

The WEF Chief noted the Forun looked forward to partnering with Nigeria on the programme.

She added: “This is an important programme that is coming at the right time.

“We at WEF stand ready to work with the Nigerian government on this great initiative.鈥�

Essentials of activating talents and in-demand workforce, by Minister

Speaking at the event, Dr. Tijani, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, lauded her counterpart in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, for spearheading the NATEP initiative.

The Minister said his own Ministry would collaborate and support the programme to ensure it delivers on the set objectives for Nigeria and Nigerians.

Tijani further explained the importance of talents and in-demand workforce as critical part of the global economic structure.

He disclosed that is the reason why leading countries across the world are intentional about attracting and retaining top talents.

Other speakers at the event equally, commended the timely launch of the auspicious and ambitious NATEP as a national initiative capable of changing the economic fortunes of Nigeria just like India that attracts over $300 billion annually from talent exports.

The speakers all commended the Federal Government for the laudable initiative, and gave their commitment to support the programme.

As part of the highlights of the occasion, Dr. Femi Adeluyi, National Coordinator of the National Talent Export Programme National Coordinator of NATEP, moderated a panel discussion with Amal Hassan, Ola Williams and Adaora Ikenze serving as panelists.

The panel discussion attracted a lot of positive feedback from the participants and elicited their commitment to working together to support the country’s NATEP initiative.

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment then performed the unveiling of the NATEP logo, which signalled to the international community, that Nigeria is ready to become a global hub for talent exports in the comity of nations.

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