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Nigeria has launched the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network, a landmark initiative designed to bridge the country’s critical skills gaps, boost productivity, and equip its workforce for the rapidly evolving global economy.
The programme, coordinated by the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), marks Nigeria’s official entry into the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Accelerators Network—under the Reskilling Revolution framework co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Federal Ministry of Education.
The Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network will serve as a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together government, industry, academia, and civil society to co-create scalable, data-driven solutions for reskilling and upskilling Nigeria’s workforce.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, described the initiative as “a decisive step toward 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,” she said.
Echoing this, Dr. Maruf Alausa, Minister of Education, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aligning Nigeria’s education and vocational training systems with labour market needs.
“We are focused on ensuring that Nigerian youth are equipped with future-ready skills and remain globally competitive,” he said.
According to Teju Abisoye, National Coordinator of NATEP, the accelerator will support the development of digital and transferable skills to power growth sectors such as technology, business process outsourcing, and green industries.
“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 talent gaps and unlock opportunities for global talent export,” she stated.
The initiative will also mobilize public-private partnerships to fund and scale reskilling programmes, facilitate workforce redeployment into high-demand roles, and establish data-driven systems to anticipate future skill needs.
In her remarks, Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum, praised Nigeria’s leadership in advancing human capital development:
“The World Economic Forum is pleased to collaborate with Nigeria on this important step. By investing in its people, Nigeria is positioning itself not only to meet domestic workforce needs but to contribute talent and innovation to the global economy.”
Nigeria’s participation in the WEF’s Reskilling Revolution, which aims to improve education, skills, and opportunities for one billion people by 2030, reinforces the country’s commitment to digital inclusion, innovation-driven growth, and global competitiveness.
The Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network aligns with ongoing national reforms to diversify the economy, deepen innovation capacity, and promote sustainable prosperity—solidifying Nigeria’s position as a leading talent and innovation hub for Africa and beyond.
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