LAGOS, NIGERIA — The National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) says major policy reforms and international partnerships have strengthened Nigeria’s position in the global services export economy.

NATEP National Coordinator, Teju Abisoye, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday marking one year since the programme’s strategic relaunch.

The programme described Federal Executive Council approval of a National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports as a major policy breakthrough.

According to Abisoye, the mechanism provides a framework for inter-agency collaboration and accelerated growth of Nigeria’s services export sector.

He said the framework aligned key institutions, including the National Information Technology Development Agency and the 3MTT programme, under a shared agenda.

He said the arrangement had improved policy coordination, streamlined implementation and strengthened talent development as a driver of export competitiveness.

He quoted Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, as saying talent would increasingly determine global competitiveness and economic value creation.

“NATEP is helping Nigeria unlock its human capital potential and strengthen international partnerships for economic growth,” Oduwole said.

She added that the programme was positioning Nigerian talent at the centre of emerging opportunities in global services trade.

Abisoye said NATEP remained focused on positioning Nigeria as a leading global talent hub.

“The progress recorded over the past year has moved Nigeria closer to creating one million export-linked jobs,” he said.

He added that the programme was attracting investment and equipping Nigerians with globally recognised skills and certifications.

According to him, NATEP’s next phase will focus on implementation, financing, policy approvals and workforce development at scale.

He confirmed the launch of the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

Abisoye said the initiative formally integrated Nigeria into the forum’s Global Accelerators Network for workforce development and international collaboration.

The network is co-chaired by the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Education, alongside AFC and Flour Mills of Nigeria.

Abisoye said it had deepened engagement through the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Survey.

He said the partnership would ensure Nigeria’s labour market realities are reflected in global workforce assessments and benchmarking exercises.

He said work had begun on a financing framework combining public and private capital for talent development.

According to him, the framework will support workforce growth and expand opportunities within Nigeria’s services export ecosystem.

He revealed that NATEP also partnered the Nigeria Outsourcing Association and global business services stakeholders to strengthen the outsourcing ecosystem.

Abisoye said a zero draft of the National Outsourcing Policy was submitted in March 2026 for inter-ministerial review.

According to him, the policy will unlock investment opportunities and accelerate growth within Nigeria’s outsourcing industry.

He said NATEP’s technical working groups had completed implementation plans and validated talent development pathways.

He said the measures would strengthen workforce readiness and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in global services exports.

The programme identified five priority sectors under World Trade Organisation and General Agreement on Trade in Services standards.

The sectors are software and SaaS, data and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, and business process outsourcing services.