Outsourcing professionals in Nigeria are ramping up efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations, aiming to improve service delivery, streamline recruitment, and compete more effectively in the global digital economy.
At the Association of Outsourcing Professionals of Nigeria Outsourcing Expo 2025, held in Lagos, industry leaders gathered under the theme ‘Outsourcing, AI, and the Digital Economy: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities.’ The event focused on how technology is reshaping the outsourcing landscape and the need for Nigerian firms to adapt.
President of the AOPN, Mope Abudu, said the sector must embrace AI to remain relevant and competitive in an increasingly digital world.
“This event is not just about networking or learning,” Abudu told participants. “It is about transforming ourselves into professionals who proudly carry the values of this industry both locally and internationally. The outsourcing market is extremely dynamic, and the services we provide must continue to evolve.”
To attract clients in the AI era, outsourcing firms develop strong online presences, offer value-added services like AI integration consulting, leverage digital marketing, build strategic partnerships, provide exceptional customer service, highlight their AI capabilities, develop niche expertise, and use referral programs and networking.
Abudu noted that outsourcing professionals must leverage AI to improve the quality, efficiency, and value proposition of their services. She stressed the need for local players to build digital capabilities that meet global standards while addressing the unique needs of the Nigerian market.
“AI is here to stay. If we want to become competitive globally, we need to localise AI, adopt it strategically, and ensure that we continue to keep our clients satisfied,” she said.
The AOPN Expo also served as a platform for practitioners to reflect on areas requiring improvement, exchange knowledge, and foster collaborations that could drive sector growth.
In a keynote presentation, the Executive Director of Human Resources and Corporate Services at TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria, Olubunmi Popoola-Mordi, shared how her organisation is already deploying AI to enhance recruitment processes.
Popoola-Mordi highlighted the use of Microsoft Co-pilot, an AI tool that generates job descriptions, develops candidate profiles, drafts interview questions, and even predicts suitable answers. The tool can also rank candidates’ post-interview and provide comprehensive reports, streamlining the hiring process.
“AI is transforming the way we hire,” the executive said. “What used to take several manual steps can now be done more efficiently. But while AI generates insights, human judgement remains essential in making the final decisions.”
Industry experts at the event agreed that while AI presents immense opportunities, it also comes with challenges, including the need for reskilling, ethical considerations, and data privacy.
The AOPN leadership called on outsourcing firms to take proactive steps, not just by attending conferences but by implementing AI-driven strategies in their daily operations.
“It’s not enough to hear these insights and wait until next year,” Abudu said. “We must act now, become doers, and ensure that our industry keeps pace with global trends.”
The AOPN Expo 2025 marks a turning point for Nigeria’s outsourcing sector as it positions itself to play a bigger role in the digital economy, leveraging AI for sustainable growth and global relevance.
