Lagos: The Federal Government has officially inaugurated the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network, an initiative aimed at strengthening the nation’s workforce capabilities, addressing critical productivity gaps, and accelerating digital transformation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, announced at the inauguration in Lagos that the initiative is part of the World Economic Forum’s Reskilling Revolution in Nigeria.
The initiative is co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Ministry of Education, and coordinated by the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), marking Nigeria’s entry into the Global Accelerators Network. Oduwole emphasized that the inauguration is a decisive step towards building a globally competitive workforce that could propel the next phase of Nigeria’s industrialisation and innovation.
“The Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network represents a turning point in connecting policy, industry, and education. It will create a unified platform for driving employability, productivity, and inclusive economic growth,” Oduwole stated.
Also speaking during the launch, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to aligning education and vocational training with labour market needs. Alausa highlighted that the initiative would ensure Nigerian youths are equipped with future-ready skills and remain competitive globally.
He mentioned that the Accelerator will act as a collaborative platform for government agencies, private sector leaders, academic institutions, and civil society to co-create scalable solutions for reskilling and upskilling the Nigerian workforce. “This initiative will also align national education and employment policies with the demands of the modern economy,” Alausa noted.
The National Coordinator of NATEP, Teju Abisoye, stated that through this collaboration, Nigeria is not only preparing for the future of work but also helping to define it. Abisoye emphasized that stakeholders are developing a coordinated action plan to address talent gaps and leverage opportunities for talent export.
She noted that the initiative would prioritize the development of digital and transferable skills to support emerging sectors such as technology, business process outsourcing, and green industries. Abisoye added that it will focus on mobilizing public-private partnerships to fund and scale reskilling programs, enabling workforce redeployment into high-demand roles.
Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, welcomed the launch, expressing the Forum’s pleasure in collaborating with Nigeria on advancing its skills development and workforce readiness. Zahidi stated that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to equip individuals with the capabilities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.
According to Zahidi, 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. She added that Nigeria’s participation underscores its commitment to strengthening human capital development, promoting digital inclusion, and positioning the nation as a competitive talent hub for Africa and the world.
The Reskilling Revolution, as part of the World Economic Forum initiative, aims to provide better education, skills, and economic opportunities to one billion people by 2030. It seeks to mobilize multi-stakeholder partnerships to reshape global talent development and empower local talent to meet emerging economic realities.