The Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA) convened a strategic collaboration meeting with the National Talent Export Program (NATEP) at NATEP’s headquarters in Abuja. 
The high-level engagement focused on creating global export pathways for Cross River State’s emerging creative and technology talents.
The primary objective of the session was to map out practical frameworks to position Cross River talents for the international market. Discussions centered on aligning state-level policies with national service export strategies, unlocking funding pathways, and establishing direct linkages through NATEP, which serves as Nigeria’s official service export gateway.
As an immediate outcome, two flagship NATEP initiatives were identified for Cross River State’s strategic participation: CANEX (Creative Africa Nexus): A premier festival celebrating film, food, fashion, and the arts, slated for November 2026; and Hire from Nigeria Campaign: A nationwide initiative connecting local tech and creative talents with prospective international and domestic employers.
Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging these platforms to showcase Cross River State’s talent pool, expand market access, and drive sustainable economic growth through the service export sector.
The meeting featured key leadership from both organisations, including the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, accompanied by his Technical Assistant, Mr. Ekuri Ekuri. The NATEP delegation was represented by Olajumoke Dan-Okayi, Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications; Nwando Ajene, Special Assistant on Strategy; and Usman Maaruf Yakubu, Programmes Lead.
