FAQ | NATEP - National Talent Export Programme

Question 1

What is the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP)?

Accepted Answer

The National Talent Export Programme is Nigeria's national coordination platform for services and talent exports. Operating under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, NATEP aligns institutions, industry actors, and talent systems to support the delivery of export-ready services to global markets.

Question 2

What problem does NATEP address?

Accepted Answer

Nigeria has a strong services capacity, but services exports do not scale automatically. Fragmented skills pipelines, inconsistent standards, limited buyer confidence, and regulatory friction reduce conversion from capability to export outcomes. NATEP addresses these constraints through coordination, market alignment, and execution support.

Question 3

Is NATEP a training provider or a recruitment agency?

Accepted Answer

No. NATEP does not train individuals or place workers directly. Its role is to coordinate skills systems, standards, and market alignment so that training providers, employers, and institutions can respond effectively to global services demand.

Question 4

Who does NATEP work with?

Accepted Answer

NATEP works with federal and subnational government agencies, industry associations, service providers, training institutions, investors, development partners, and international market stakeholders involved in services exports.

Question 5

How does NATEP support investors and international partners?

Accepted Answer

NATEP provides a structured interface into Nigeria's services-export ecosystem, including market intelligence, sector insights, and coordination with relevant institutions. This helps investors and partners navigate the ecosystem with greater clarity and reduced operational friction.

Question 6

What is the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports (NCMSE)?

Accepted Answer

The NCMSE is Nigeria's execution framework for scaling services exports. It aligns institutions and stakeholders across four pillars: supply competitiveness, demand conversion, enabling environment and trust, and governance and coordination. NATEP serves as the coordinating secretariat.

Question 7

What is NATEP's role in skills development?

Accepted Answer

NATEP coordinates skills alignment rather than delivering training. Through partnerships such as the World Economic Forum Skills Accelerator, NATEP supports system-level analysis and public–private action to strengthen workforce readiness for export-oriented services.

Question 8

Does NATEP regulate service providers?

Accepted Answer

No. NATEP is not a regulator or licensing authority. It works alongside regulators and standards bodies to clarify requirements, reduce duplication, and improve consistency across the services-export ecosystem.

Question 9

Is NATEP focused only on international markets?

Accepted Answer

NATEP focuses on global markets while recognising the importance of domestic capability. Strong domestic service delivery provides the operational foundation for export readiness, particularly in regulated and process-driven sectors.

Question 10

Where can I find official updates from NATEP?

Accepted Answer

Official announcements, policy updates, and market insights are published through the NATEP website, newsroom, and newsletter.

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