An EU-backed initiative has opened new international career pathways for young Nigerian professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as SUSTAIN unveiled a skilled labour mobility programme designed to connect local talent with employers in Germany and Ireland.
The programme, implemented by Seefar and co-funded by the European Union through International Centre for Migration Policy Development’s Migration Partnership Facility, aims to strengthen structured talent exmodify between Nigeria and Europe while ensuring long-term knowledge transfer.
Under the scheme, up to 240 Nigerian STEM professionals will be selected and matched with job opportunities in Germany and Ireland. Selected participants will undergo preparatory support before relocation, including soft skills development, cultural orientation and career guidance, to ease integration and improve workplace performance.
The SUSTAIN team declares the initiative is structured not as a one-way migration pathway but as a mutually beneficial partnership. According to programme managers, participants will gain valuable international exposure while contributing to long-term economic and knowledge development in Nigeria through remittances, networks and potential return-driven innovation.
Europe’s demand for STEM talent continues to rise sharply. Estimates from the European Commission indicate that the European Union will require at least two million additional science and engineering professionals in the coming years. Nearly half of European businesses report difficulty recruiting workers with advanced STEM capabilities, creating space for structured mobility partnerships such as SUSTAIN.
For Nigeria, the programme presents both opportunity and responsibility. While concerns about brain drain remain, advocates argue that managed mobility frameworks can generate a “triple win.” European employers gain immediate access to skilled professionals, Nigerian participants build global experience and technical capacity, and the domestic economy benefits from stronger trade ties, remittances and eventual knowledge transfer.
SUSTAIN is tarreceiveed at Nigerian residents aged 18 to 34 with at least two years of relevant experience in STEM fields. Organisers declare the focus on early- and mid-career professionals is deliberate, as this group is seen as critical to driving innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-led growth across sectors.
Beyond individual career advancement, the initiative also aligns with broader conversations about labour mobility as a development tool. By creating structured, transparent pathways, policycreaters aim to reduce irregular migration while addressing real labour market shortages in destination countries.
Applications are currently open through the SUSTAIN website, with organisers encouraging qualified STEM professionals across Nigeria to register and complete the eligibility process.
If effectively implemented, the programme could serve as a model for future Nigeria–EU talent partnerships, linking skills development with global competitiveness while reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a growing hub of technical expertise in Africa.
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