Tinubu launches youth employment program

President Bola Tinubu has launched the National Talent Export Program to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and create one million in-demand jobs across the country in five years.

Mr. Tinubu launched the initiative on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, where he was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka Anite.

The Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuli Ngerale, made this known in a statement signed on Sunday titled “FG announces National Talent Export Program to boost youth employment”.

“The new initiative aims to position Nigeria as an export hub for talent outsourcing in Africa, following the example of India, Bangladesh, Mexico and the Philippines,” the statement reads in part.

In his welcome address on behalf of the President, Dr. Uzoka Anite said the National Talent Export Program is an important purpose-built vehicle that will serve as a special purpose vehicle to position Nigeria as a leading global hub for services exports, manpower procurement and talent. He said it was a national effort. export.

She reasoned that NATEP will serve as a professional organization to address the unique needs and challenges faced by the human resources and services export industry.

“This program will have a particular focus on strengthening competitiveness, fostering innovation and promoting sustainable growth through trade in services,” she said.

The Minister further disclosed that NATEP aims to create one million in-demand jobs across Nigeria in five years.

“This initiative will do three things for us as a country: First, it will create millions of jobs for young people over the next five years and beyond.

“Secondly, it brings in much-needed foreign exchange to our economy through human resources exported abroad and remittances from human resources living in Nigeria and working remotely in organizations outside Nigeria.Thirdly, state governments will generate huge tax revenues,” the Minister said.

In a goodwill message, World Economic Forum Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said NATEP is a timely initiative to address a critical area of ​​skills and jobs for Nigeria and the world.

“This is an important program that comes at the right time. We at WEF stand ready to collaborate with the Nigerian government on this great initiative,” Zahidi said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, praised his ministry for spearheading the NATEP initiative, saying that the ministry will cooperate and support the program to ensure that it achieves the goals set. Ta.

The panel discussion held during the event was moderated by NATEP’s national coordinator, with panelists Amal Hassan, Ola Williams and Adaola Ikenze.

The event concluded with the unveiling of the NATEP logo by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, demonstrating to the world that Nigeria is ready to become a global hub for talent exports.

Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, was also in attendance. Mr. John G. Kumantaros, Chairman, U.S.-Nigeria Business Council; Dr. Florizel Reiser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the African Business Council; Amal Hassan, CEO of Outsourcing Global. Mr. Kashif Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Authority; Adaora Ikenze, Head of Public Policy Meta for West and Central Africa; His country managers for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, who joined online, were Mr. Ola Williams, CEO of TechDev, Mr. Joel Ogunsola, and the national coordinator of the program, Mr. Femi Adeluyi.

Ursula Winhoven, representative of the International Telecommunications Union at the United Nations, also attended. Dr. Armstrong Takan, Chief Executive of the Treasury; Charles Murito, Director of Sub-Saharan Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google. Charles Okochu, Senior Business Development Manager at Amazon AWS, and his AfCFTA Digital Trade Expert, Michelle Nsanzumuco.