Nigeria targets $3.7Bn yearly from youth-led outsourcing
LAGOS, NIGERIA — Nigeria is positioning its tech-savvy youth to tap into the global business process outsourcing (BPO) market, with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) projecting annual revenue of up to US$3.7 billion from an expanded workforce.
According to a report from Nigeria Startup News, the announcement was made during a one-day workshop themed “Leveraging Business Process Outsourcing for Non-Oil Export Growth,” held at NEPC’s Regional Office in Apapa, Lagos.
Empowering Nigerian youth for global outsourcing success
The workshop aimed to equip young Nigerians with the practical skills and knowledge required to deliver outsourcing services that meet international standards.
Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEPC, represented by Sunday Ayodele, highlighted the country’s potential in the global outsourcing market, describing Nigeria as “young, talented, bold, and ready to work.”
“The world is beginning to notice that talent and creativity abound in Nigeria. As the apex government agency for non-oil exports, NEPC is committed to positioning these talents and creative minds for global opportunities through strategic support and capacity development,” she added.
Citing a PwC analysis, Ayeni noted that expanding Nigeria’s BPO workforce from 16,000 practitioners to 200,000 could push monthly earnings to $292 million and yearly revenue to $3.7 billion.
She stressed the importance of continuous self-development, saying, “We are determined to equip participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to compete effectively in this fast-growing global industry.”
Madu Obiora, founder of BPO Academy, emphasized the importance of a global mindset, explaining that geographical location no longer limits service delivery.
“The world is flat,” he said, referencing Thomas Friedman. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in London, Lagos, or Delhi; what matters is the quality of your service and the knowledge you bring to the table.”
He encouraged participants to view their knowledge as their primary asset: “You don’t need capital to offer services; what you’re selling is here,” pointing to his head.
BPO growth seen as key to Nigeria’s digital economy
Ayodele Sunday, Assistant Director of NEPC’s Services Department, urged youths to embrace self-reliance, digital presence, and remote work opportunities.
“Government jobs are no longer the solution; remote work and service exportation are the future,” he said.
He encouraged participants to leverage their skills to build sustainable careers that contribute to both personal and national economic growth.
From an industry perspective, Nigeria’s BPO push aligns with global trends where knowledge-driven services are increasingly outsourced across borders.
With strategic training and government support, the country is well-positioned to become a competitive player in international outsourcing, capitalizing on a market that values talent and innovation over geographical location.
This approach not only diversifies Nigeria’s non-oil export base but also strengthens the digital economy, offering a roadmap for sustainable economic growth.
