FG Partners with UTEL Ltd to Boost Employment for Nigerians

The Federal Government has entered into a partnership with Unique Talent Export Limited (UTEL Ltd.) to facilitate job placements abroad. The partnership aims to connect Nigerians with employment opportunities in Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Scandinavian countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, and representatives from UTEL Ltd. During the signing ceremony, Dr. Uzoka-Anite emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing its workforce’s skills to support the government’s industrial revitalization efforts and provide global job opportunities.

Dr. Uzoka-Anite highlighted the importance of this initiative in exporting Nigerian culture and heritage while leveraging the country’s vast talent pool. The National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), under the coordination of Dr. Femi Adeluyi, will oversee the project’s implementation.

“This MoU marks a milestone in our efforts to provide quality employment for Nigerians,” Dr. Uzoka-Anite stated. “These opportunities include direct employment, emigration of our talents, and the utilization of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) model for those based in Nigeria. Through NATEP, we can export our talents honorably, ending illegal migration and national embarrassment.”

The partnership with UTEL Ltd, a subsidiary of Unique Agency Kuwait, aims to aggregate foreign job opportunities for Nigerians from Kuwait and other GCC countries. Dr. Uzoka-Anite welcomed the announcement of 250 foreign job openings for Nigerians, reflecting the government’s strategy to forge beneficial international partnerships.

“Nigerians in the diaspora often excel in their professions,” she noted, citing research from the Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and the UK Office for National Statistics, which show high levels of educational attainment and professional success among Nigerian immigrants.

The MoU outlines a ‘1+2’ approach for the partnership, ensuring that for every Nigerian selected for a foreign job through NATEP, additional support will be provided to connect an outsourced role to the Nigerian BPO ecosystem and train selected Nigerians to strengthen the local workforce.

Dr. Uzoka-Anite expressed optimism for future collaborations with other countries, aiming to create more employment opportunities for Nigerians. The signing event was attended by dignitaries including Mr. Athbi Al-Awadi from Kuwait, Mr. Tahir Hashim from Oman, and Advokat Knutsen from Norway.