The Federal Government has stepped up its talent development drive with the 2nd Co-Chair Meeting of the National Talent Accelerator under the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP). The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Education at the Minister’s office in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders to review the system analysis of Nigeria’s talent development framework and agree on actions to accelerate skills growth nationwide.
The session was attended by the Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and fast-tracking reforms that will position Nigeria as a global source of skilled professionals.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the Nigeria Skills Accelerator is a bold, FG-led initiative designed to unite government, industry, academia and development partners. According to him, the goal is to position Nigeria as a global hub for skilled talent and innovation.
Private sector and development leaders were also present, including Mr. Samaila Zubairu, CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, and Mr. Boye Olusanya of Flour Mills Nigeria. Their participation highlighted the government’s commitment to strong public-private collaboration in driving talent development.
The renewed push builds on earlier reforms launched in 2025 when Nigeria introduced the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network. The initiative was described as a game-changing platform aimed at strengthening workforce capabilities, addressing productivity gaps, accelerating digital transformation and preparing Nigerians for the future of work.
The programme forms part of the World Economic Forum’s Reskilling Revolution in Nigeria. It is co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Federal Ministry of Education, and coordinated by NATEP. Nigeria’s entry into the Global Accelerators Network marked a significant step in aligning local talent efforts with global standards.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole described the initiative as “a decisive step towards building a globally competitive workforce that can power Nigeria’s next phase of industrialisation and innovation.”
She added, “The Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network represents a turning point in connecting policy, industry, and education. It creates a unified platform for driving employability, productivity, and inclusive economic growth.”
Similarly, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to aligning education and vocational training with labour market needs. He said the focus is to ensure Nigerian youth gain future-ready skills and remain competitive globally.
Teju Abisoye, National Coordinator of NATEP, said, “Through this collaboration, Nigeria is not only preparing for the future of work but also helping to define it. We are developing a coordinated Action Plan to address the talent gaps and leverage the huge opportunities for talent export.”
Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, Saadia Zahidi, also welcomed the development. She stated, “The World Economic Forum is pleased to collaborate with Nigeria on advancing its skills development and workforce readiness. By investing in human capital, Nigeria is positioning itself not only to meet domestic workforce needs but also to contribute talent and innovation to the global economy.”
