Nigeria launches outsourcing initiative to tap global BPO market
GOMBE, NIGERIA—The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a significant step towards economic diversification with the launch of the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), which aims to capture a substantial share of the global business process outsourcing (BPO) market.
The Outsource to Nigeria Initiative represents a strategic move to position Nigeria as an emerging outsourcing powerhouse, ready to make a significant impact on the global economic stage by leveraging its human and technological resources.
Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the initiative, which is set to create millions of jobs and catalyze growth in the BPO and IT-enabled services sector.
During the launch at the Gombe International Conference Centre, Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s competitive advantages, including a young, English-speaking workforce, a cost-effective structure, and a rapidly improving ICT infrastructure.
“The Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) symbolizes a pivotal alliance, a collaborative dance between the public and private sectors,” Shettima said, emphasizing the initiative’s role in connecting global companies with Nigeria’s talent pool.
The Vice President also addressed the nation, urging patience with the current economic policies, which may pose short-term challenges but are deemed necessary for long-term economic stability and growth.
“The tough decisions we have taken… is a strategic investment to fortify the foundations of our economy,” Shettima assured.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya noted that choosing Gombe for the OTNI launch was a testament to the state’s potential and progress in fostering a technology-friendly business environment.
The state’s partnership with BPO and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) company Outsource Global also demonstrates its commitment to supporting private investment and job creation.
Hajiya Amal Hassan, Founder and CEO of Outsource Global, pointed out Nigeria’s potential to register the fastest growth in the African BPO industry, with the country’s demographics aligning well with global business trends.
Last year, Obiora Madu, the former President of the Association for Outsourcing Professionals of Nigeria (AOPN), said that outsourcing could bring long-term economic benefits and solve the nation’s unemployment problems.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is also looking to generate around $5 billion of revenue from the country’s outsourcing sector in 2024.
