Cross River State’s emerging creative and technology talents are set to gain greater access to international markets following a strategic partnership between the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA) and the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
The partnership emerged from a high-level strategic collaboration meeting held at NATEP’s headquarters in Abuja, where both organisations explored practical pathways for connecting Cross River’s growing talent pool with global opportunities in the rapidly expanding service export economy.
Speaking with newsmen after the engagement, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of CRSMEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, said the primary objective was to develop workable frameworks capable of positioning Cross River talents for international markets while creating new avenues for employment, enterprise growth and wealth creation.
Ogban said discussions focused on aligning state-level policies with national service export strategies, unlocking funding opportunities and establishing direct institutional linkages through NATEP, Nigeria’s official gateway for service exports.
He explained that the initiative would enable skilled Cross Riverians in the creative and technology sectors to transcend the limitations of the local market and compete for opportunities in the global economy, where demand for specialised digital and creative services continues to expand.
As an immediate outcome of the engagement, two flagship NATEP initiatives were identified for Cross River State’s strategic participation: Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), a premier platform celebrating film, food, fashion and the arts, scheduled for November 2026, and the Hire from Nigeria Campaign, which connects Nigerian technology and creative talents with prospective international and domestic employers.
Through CANEX, Cross River’s creative entrepreneurs and practitioners will have an opportunity to showcase their talents, products and intellectual property to a wider international audience, potentially opening doors to partnerships, investment and new markets.
The Hire from Nigeria Campaign, on the other hand, is expected to create direct employment linkages for qualified Cross River talents by connecting them with employers seeking skilled professionals in technology, creative and other service-based sectors.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging the two platforms to showcase Cross River’s talent pool, expand access to markets and drive sustainable economic growth through the service export sector.
The collaboration aligns with CRSMEDA’s broader mandate of strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), supporting emerging entrepreneurs and creating pathways for Cross River businesses and talents to become more competitive beyond the domestic economy.
The meeting was attended by Ogban and his Technical Assistant, Mr. Ekuri Ekuri, while the NATEP delegation comprised the Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications, Olajumoke Dan-Okayi; Special Assistant on Strategy, Nwando Ajene; and Programmes Lead, Usman Maaruf Yakubu.
By Kingsley Agim
