Shettima Leads ‘Hire From Nigeria’ Drive at UNGA

Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading a government and private-sector campaign to promote Nigerian talent and technology-enabled services to international employers at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The initiative, known as “Hire From Nigeria,” is being presented during a side event focused on using impact sourcing to drive global trade and inclusive job creation.

Shettima is expected to deliver the keynote address, titled “Setting the global trade and impact sourcing context; Nigeria’s positioning as the next outsourcing frontier.”

The engagement brings together senior Nigerian government officials, state governors, technology leaders, private-sector executives, international employers, investors and development partners.

The campaign seeks to connect Nigerian professionals and service providers across different sectors with businesses and employers outside the country, creating opportunities for services exports, foreign exchange earnings and job creation.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole said the government’s priority was to translate Nigeria’s large talent pool into greater participation in global trade.

She said the initiative was being implemented in collaboration with the private sector to connect Nigerian capabilities with international demand and generate commercial opportunities.

The UNGA engagement builds on the national launch of “Hire From Nigeria” in Abuja on August 31, where government and private-sector stakeholders committed to expanding international opportunities for Nigerian workers and businesses.

Technology sector leaders participating in the campaign have said Nigeria needs to move beyond being recognised simply for the size of its workforce and demonstrate the value its professionals can create for global businesses.

The initiative covers technology-enabled services as well as professional, technical, skilled and other service-based occupations where Nigerian workers can compete internationally.

The campaign is being supported by several government institutions and private-sector organisations, including the National Talent Export Programme and other agencies working on trade, education, employment, technology and enterprise development.

Shettima’s participation at the UNGA event forms part of broader economic diplomacy efforts during his visit to New York, where he is also representing President Bola Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the General Assembly.

The government hopes the international engagement will turn interest in Nigerian talent into sustained commercial relationships, expand the country’s services exports and create more employment opportunities at home.

The initiative is expected to continue beyond the UNGA meetings through engagements with international companies seeking Nigerian talent, services and business capabilities.