Enugu gov’t moves to create 100,000 jobs, partner firm

The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah has initiated moves to create over 100,000 jobs for the youths in the State in partnership with Humatrix Limited.

Both have signed a partnership agreement to drive the initiative by establishing a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub in Enugu.

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The development was set to position Enugu as a leading leading destination for digital services in Nigeria and Africa.

The partnership agreement which was signed at the Government House, The Enugu, highlights Governor Peter Mbah’s economic diversification programme, human capital development policy and drive to attract private investments.

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Director of Humatrix Limited, Dr Dakuku Peterside, speaking at the signing ceremony, said Enugu investment climate attracted their attention.

He said, “It was very easy for us to choose Enugu. Enugu is investing, and there is consistency. Most importantly, we have a supportive environment. These are core things any business would request to scale.”

Peteraide said, the job creation programme would be implemented in phases with commencement of operations with a 750-seat BPO centre, expand to over 2,000 seats within the first year and target 100,000 jobs within five years.

According to Peterside, the initiative will go beyond direct employment to equipping participants with industry-relevant digital and technological skills.

Adding that the highly trained young men and women would be connected to employment opportunities and attracting global companies seeking skilled talent.

He disclosed that Enugu State government had shown commitment by
provided a building for the take-off of the project, stressed that they will soon embark on recruitment and training opportunities for Enugu youths.

Peteraide lauded Enugu State government for its approach to investment partnerships with diligence and thoroughness.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on MSME and Digital Economy, Mr Arinze Chilo-Offiah, said the partnership represented a significant step towards actualising the governor’s vision of growing Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

He explained that the Enugu Talent City Initiative was designed to position the state as a leading digital services and outsourcing hub in Nigeria and Africa, attracting global companies, creating employment and enabling young people to work for international clients from Enugu.

The special adviser further disclosed that the state’s long-term ambition was to develop an outsourcing ecosystem with up to 300,000 seats by 2031, building on the initial 750-seat BPO centre and expanding opportunities for digitally skilled youths.

In his remarks, Governor Mbah said the partnership was consistent with his administration’s commitment to ensuring that young people could acquire relevant skills, secure rewarding employment and build their futures in Enugu rather than leave the state in search of opportunities.

The Governor disclosed that over 33 per cent of the state’s expenditure was dedicated to human capital development, reflecting his administration’s emphasis on education, skills acquisition and workforce preparation.

He stressed that developing talent must go hand in hand with attracting companies capable of employing that talent, noting that private capital would be critical to achieving the state’s economic growth ambitions.

Mbah also reiterated his administration’s ambition to scale the digital economy through the proposed Talent City and Digital Industrial Park, expressing confidence that the infrastructure could support growth beyond the 100,000-job target set by Humatrix.

“We want the ‘japa’ where we can stay in Enugu and serve companies across the world, anywhere in the world,” the Governor said, describing the initiative as an opportunity for young people to earn globally competitive incomes while living in their home state.

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