US firms spent ₦3bn on permits for Nigerian workers – Report
US companies spent more than ₦3.23 billion to sponsor Nigerian professionals for H-1B work visas in the 2024 fiscal year, making Nigeria the leading African source of skilled workers approved under the programme, according to a new report.
The report shows that 880 Nigerian professionals were sponsored by US employers in FY 2024, with firms covering filing fees, legal costs and other expenses required to secure the specialised work permits. The H-1B visa allows US companies to employ foreign workers in occupations that require specialised knowledge, particularly in technology, healthcare, engineering and finance.
Nigeria’s total spending and number of beneficiaries placed it ahead of other African countries, reflecting the growing demand for Nigerian talent in the US labour market. Analysts attribute the trend to Nigeria’s large, youthful workforce and its strong presence in high-demand fields such as software development, data analysis, medicine and academia.
While the figures highlight global recognition of Nigerian skills, they have also renewed conversations around talent migration and brain drain. Some experts argue that sustained outflows of highly skilled professionals could deepen capacity gaps at home, while others note that remittances, skills transfer and global networks can provide long-term benefits to the Nigerian economy.
The report adds that overall H-1B sponsorship costs rose in FY 2024 as US firms continued to rely on foreign professionals to fill critical skill shortages, despite tighter immigration scrutiny and rising compliance costs.
Nigeria has consistently ranked among the top African countries benefiting from US skilled migration pathways in recent years, a trend the report suggests is likely to continue given ongoing demand for specialised labour.
