By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has endorsed the Federal Government’s move to relaunch the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), describing it as a necessary step to revitalize an initiative in limbo after it was initially launched 18 months ago.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG maintained that it is a creative effort by the Nigerian government to formally place the country in a prime position to benefit from a one trillion dollar global economy.
“We are aware that the country has for some years now been witnessing an informal cross-border movement of Nigerian professionals, especially in healthcare and IT sectors, to more developed countries.
“But what we are about to witness now is an ambitious National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), first introduced by the Bola Tinubu administration 18 months ago, to formally make the country a big player in the global outsourcing market that is estimated at $1 trillion.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the programme which is to be overseen by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments, targets high-impact sectors including technology, the creative economy, healthcare, professional services and remote work.
“We are convinced that with the talent and creativity at the country’s disposal, the initiative will place the country on a similar footing with countries like India, Mexico and the Philippines.
“So in the nearest future, it would not be surprising that diaspora remittances to Nigeria which hit the $20bn mark in 2024, the highest in 5 years, will get to a level close to that of countries with humongous diaspora inflow as a result of NATEP.
“We are aware that when it was first launched, the Tinubu administration’s goal was to create 1 million direct export-linked jobs and up to 5 million indirect jobs within five years.
“In addition, NATEP aims to attract over $1 billion in foreign direct investments (FDIs) to Nigeria’s growing service export economy.
“And as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said recently, the initiative will ultimately generate tax returns as well as bring in foreign exchange through remittances from talents that will be exported abroad and those that will have to work remotely for organisations outside Nigeria.
“The good thing is that it is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s economic vision, and already the country is enhancing the infrastructure and systems needed for an innovation-driven future.
“There is also the ongoing Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme of the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, which could easily provide the technical backbone for the talent export programme.
“It is also interesting to note that the Tinubu administration has also been working on expanding the country’s fibre optics internet connection.
“So for us, the Tinubu administration is truly and surely laying the groundwork for proper empowerment of the country’s teeming youth population to enable them to benefit from global service export opportunities,
“In essence, we see NATEP as a government agenda to turn what many have termed brain drain into a rewarding win-win initiative,” the statement added.
The group urged youths and other qualified Nigerians to brace up to benefit from an initiative designed to turn the country into a competitive global supplier of skilled talents.
