“Unfortunately, the reality of talent in Nigeria now is that you have to leave to reach your full potential.”
Nigeria launched a program to train 3 million digital workers by 2027, betting billions on becoming a global outsourcing hub. The timing could not be worse. AI is automating the entry-level tasks that outsourcing depends on, Silicon Valley layoffs have flooded the market with experienced workers willing to do the same jobs, and U.S. immigration policy is slamming the door on work visas. Over 1.8 million Nigerians applied and 100,000 enrolled, chasing jobs that are evaporating in real time. The program trained people for a world that stopped existing about two years ago.