Plateau targets 50,000 digital jobs

The Plateau State Government has strengthened its development communication strategy on job creation and digital inclusion by formalising a strategic partnership with Outsource Global to position the state as a leading hub in Nigeria’s expanding outsourcing industry.

The engagement took place at the Old Government House, Rayfield, Jos, on Monday when the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, received the Outsource Global delegation.

The meeting focused on aligning workforce development with the state’s long-term economic growth agenda.

Leading the delegation, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Outsource Global, Amal Hassan, affirmed Nigeria’s growing reputation as a competitive destination for outsourced services. She noted that the country has demonstrated its capacity to deliver high-quality professional services, including legal, accounting, and software engineering solutions, to global clients.

Hassan explained that the company’s expansion to Jos followed extensive research confirming Plateau State’s readiness to host large-scale outsourcing operations. She revealed that the initiative is already gaining momentum, with approximately 6,000 applications received within the first week of recruitment.

“We have commenced large-scale interviews and will continue the process,” she said, highlighting strong local interest and describing the programme as a scalable pathway to employment and global service delivery.

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Bluetag and Director at Outsource Global, Uzochukwu Eziukwu, emphasised that workforce development is central to attracting investment.

According to him, building a skilled workforce is key to unlocking economic opportunities and positioning Plateau State as a competitive destination for business.

He described the initiative as both an employment pipeline and a comprehensive framework for human capital development across critical sectors. “The platform identifies talent, aligns individuals with their skill sets, and guides them toward suitable career pathways and industry verticals,” he said.

Eziukwu added that the programme is designed to scale up to 50,000 participants, with at least 2,000 expected to secure international placements, while others will be absorbed into domestic outsourcing roles.

He further disclosed that a six-month internship model will serve as a “funnel system” to enhance employability and sustain engagement, with a target of keeping at least 50 per cent of participants actively employed.

On his part, Governor Mutfwang described the initiative as a strategic response to unemployment, stressing the importance of skills acquisition over formal certification.

“It is about skills. A certificate alone does not confer competence; we must prioritise practical capabilities,” he stated, adding that the programme offers inclusive opportunities for all demographics. “Even a housewife can participate from home, earn income, and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he noted.

The Governor also disclosed that the state has secured collaboration with MTN Nigeria to utilise its Bukuru facility for the programme’s take-off. The facility has the capacity to engage up to 1,600 workers across multiple shifts.

He further emphasised that the initiative will stimulate broader economic activities, creating ripple effects across sectors such as housing and value chains linked to digital services. Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the success of the programme as it works towards achieving its 50,000 job creation target.