The Federal Government has launched the “Hire from Nigeria” campaign as part of efforts to position the country as a major hub for talent and service exports and create one million export-linked jobs over the next five years.

The initiative is a public-private collaboration involving the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Education, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), Bank of Industry’s iDICE programme and other domestic and international private-sector partners.

Speaking during the official presentation of the campaign in Abuja, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the initiative represents a shift in Nigeria’s export strategy.

According to Oduwole, the campaign seeks to expand what Nigeria exports beyond crude oil and physical commodities to include skills, talent and digital services.

The government said the initiative would help create employment opportunities for Nigerians, expand the country’s participation in the global digital economy and increase foreign exchange earnings through the export of professional and digital services.

The campaign is expected to connect Nigerian talent with international employers and clients while supporting the development of the country’s service export ecosystem.