Nigeria to create 50,000 BPO jobs in U.S. deal
ABUJA, NIGERIA — A newly-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and United States-based cybersecurity institute Lab Four is set to bring 50,000 full-time business process outsourcing (BPO) jobs to the country within the next three years.
The anticipated BPO jobs, covering areas such as telesales, customer service, and cybersecurity, are expected to inject up to $1.2 billion into the Nigerian economy annually through wages, alongside a $60 million boost for developing the BPO ecosystem.
The initiative is part of the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), launched in 2023 to connect Nigerian talent with international job opportunities.
During the signing ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, expressed the government’s commitment to economic diversification and job creation.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to creating sustainable employment opportunities, especially for the youths,” she stated.
This partnership also marks a significant step towards Nigeria’s vision of becoming a global hub for talent exports and BPO services, leveraging agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to expand its market reach.
Uzoka-Anite highlighted Nigeria’s potential in the global talent sourcing industry, which is expected to reach $904.948 billion by 2027.
With a large pool of graduates entering the workforce annually, the minister said that Nigeria is well-positioned to supply high-quality talent for service export and outsourcing.
NATEP National Coordinator Femi Adeluyi also emphasized the program’s role in positioning Nigeria as a preferred outsourcing destination and reducing illegal migration through reputable talent export.
Adeluyi also assured the public of a transparent job selection process, focusing on the SME sector and promising opportunities for the most qualified candidates.
Meanwhile, Lab Four Executive Director Anthony Okhiria expressed the company’s dedication to accelerating job creation in Nigeria.
John Dunham, a representative of the U.S. Embassy, also acknowledged Nigeria’s potential in IT and entrepreneurship, emphasizing America’s support for the sector’s growth.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s position in the global talent export market, promising economic development and job creation in the coming years.
Just recently, the Nigerian federal government also launched the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), which aims to capture a substantial share of the global BPO market.
