Nigeria has officially launched the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network, a major national initiative designed to strengthen the country’s workforce, bridge productivity gaps, speed up digital transformation, and prepare Nigerians for the future of work.
The programme forms part of the World Economic Forum’s Reskilling Revolution in Nigeria and is co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside the Federal Ministry of Education. The National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) is coordinating the project, marking Nigeria’s entry into the Global Accelerators Network.
According to the organisers, the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network aims to mobilise partnerships across government, the private sector, and education to collectively reshape global talent development and empower local professionals to meet fast-changing economic realities. The initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s job creation agenda, which seeks to generate one million in-demand jobs across Nigeria and globally within five years.
Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the launch as “a decisive step towards building a globally competitive workforce that can power Nigeria’s next phase of industrialisation and innovation. 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.”
In her remarks, Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to aligning education and vocational training with labour market demands. She noted that “this collaboration ensures Nigerian youth are equipped with future-ready skills and remain competitive globally.”
The Accelerator Network is expected to serve as a collaborative hub for government agencies, private sector leaders, academic institutions, and civil society. Together, these stakeholders will work to reskill and upskill Nigeria’s workforce while ensuring national education and employment policies align with the realities of the modern economy.
National Coordinator of NATEP, Teju Abisoye, 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.”
The initiative prioritizes digital skills development, technology-driven training, and workforce redeployment into high-demand sectors such as technology, business process outsourcing, and green industries. It also focuses on strengthening public-private partnerships to fund reskilling initiatives and building data-driven systems to forecast future skill needs and guide responsive policymaking.
Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, Saadia Zahidi, welcomed the launch, stating that “The World Economic Forum is pleased to collaborate with Nigeria on advancing its skills development and workforce readiness. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to equip individuals with the capabilities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy. 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.”
Nigeria’s participation in this global initiative highlights its commitment to human capital development, digital inclusion, and economic diversification. The Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network is expected to position the country as a major talent hub in Africa, boosting innovation, employment, and long-term economic growth.
