Nigeria's NATEP aims to unlock human capital potential and boost services exports

One year after its strategic relaunch, Nigeria's National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) has achieved substantial institutional progress, policy advancements, and international partnerships, positioning the nation as a significant talent hub within the global services export economy. The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment highlighted these achievements, emphasizing a shift in global economic value towards nations that cultivate talent and participate in high-value services markets.

A pivotal development occurred in November 2025 when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports (NCMSE). This initiative provides a formal governance framework designed to enhance inter-agency coordination, align national policies with global digital trade standards, and accelerate the growth of Nigeria's services export sector. The NCMSE acts as an institutional architecture, unifying previously fragmented programs, agencies, and stakeholders under a cohesive services export agenda.

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We are witnessing a shift in the global economy, where greater value and the competitive advantage will be determined by a nation’s ability to cultivate talent, harness deep knowledge-based industries, and participate in high-value services markets built seamlessly across borders.

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, stated that the global economy is increasingly defined by a nation's capacity to develop talent, harness knowledge-based industries, and engage seamlessly in cross-border, high-value services markets. This perspective underscores the strategic importance of initiatives like NATEP.

Teju Abisoye, National Coordinator of NATEP, outlined the program's core mandate: to establish Nigeria as a leading global talent hub. This objective is pursued through the creation of an enabling ecosystem that integrates policy development, platform creation, promotional activities, and strategic partnerships. The program focuses on unlocking the potential of Nigeria's human capital and strengthening collaborations to foster a competitive edge in the international services market.

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The mandate at NATEP was to position Nigeria as a premier global talent hub by building an enabling ecosystem through policy, platforms, promotion, and partnerships.