The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced plans to generate about 3.7 billion dollars annually by training and empowering young Nigerians to explore opportunities in the global outsourcing market.
Speaking at a one-day workshop themed “Leveraging Business Process Outsourcing for Non-Oil Export Growth,” held at the Council’s Regional Office in Apapa, Lagos, stakeholders discussed the vast potential Nigeria holds in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, represented by Mr Sunday Ayodele, said the Council is working to expand Nigeria’s BPO industry from 16,000 practitioners to about 200,000 professionals. According to her, such an expansion could raise the sector’s monthly earnings to 292 million dollars and generate up to 3.7 billion dollars in yearly revenue.
She explained that the workshop aimed to sensitise and equip young Nigerians with the practical knowledge and skills required to deliver outsourcing services that meet international standards. Ayeni noted that this aligns with NEPC’s mission to diversify Nigeria’s non-oil export base through service-oriented ventures and digital economy growth.
Ayeni urged the participants to continuously invest in self-development, seek new knowledge, and remain competitive in the global market. She emphasised that the future of work lies in digital transformation and the export of services rather than relying solely on traditional commodities.
In his address, the founder of BPO Academy, Dr Madu Obiora, encouraged young Nigerians to strengthen their skills, embrace innovation, and develop a global mindset. “You don’t need capital to offer services; what you’re selling is here,” he said, pointing to his head. “Knowledge is your biggest asset. Once you have it, you can compete globally.”
Obiora explained various outsourcing categories such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO), and Creative Process Outsourcing (CPO). He noted that globalisation and technology have removed geographical barriers, allowing Nigerians to work remotely for international firms. “The world is flat,” he said, referencing Thomas Friedman’s book on globalisation. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in London, Lagos, or Delhi; what matters is the quality of your service.”
Assistant Director, Services Department at NEPC, Mr Ayodele Sunday, urged youths to develop strong communication skills, build their digital presence, and become self-reliant. “Government jobs are no longer the solution; remote work and service exportation are the future,” he said. “Let’s use what we’ve learned to improve our lives, our families, and the Nigerian economy.”
