Picture this: a young woman in Northern Nigeria, where technology and international business are distant dreams for many, looks at her surroundings and sees not just barriers but a blank slate of possibilities. This is Amal Hassan’s story. Where others saw a lack of opportunity, Hassan saw an opening—a chance to create, innovate, and bring Nigeria into the global business process outsourcing (BPO). Driven by her commitment to uplifting her community and fueled by a vision for Nigeria’s potential, Hassan embarked on a journey to turn her homeland into a respected outsourcing hub.
What began as a small training initiative in her hometown has grown into Outsource Global, Nigeria’s leading BPO company, now serving clients across the U.S., UK, and beyond. Hassan’s work, mainly her focus on creating jobs for young people and empowering women, has made her a figure of inspiration in Nigeria and beyond. Her journey reminds us that even in the face of challenges, a relentless commitment to innovation can redefine not only an industry but the trajectory of a nation.
From IT Training to Global BPO Leader
Amal Hassan’s journey began with a simple mission: to equip Nigerian youth with the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven world. In 2003, she launched an IT training institute in Kano, Northern Nigeria, targeting young Nigerians, especially women. This experience gave her a firsthand understanding of the barriers to employment faced by skilled Nigerian graduates. After completing IT training, many found themselves jobless, unable to apply their new skills in Nigeria’s limited job market.
Inspired by India’s success as an outsourcing destination, Hassan set her sights on creating a similar opportunity in Nigeria. But her path was anything but easy. Over eight years, she tried four times to launch a BPO company in a region where outsourcing was almost unheard of. Hassan persisted, undeterred by her initial setbacks, launching Outsource Global in 2013. Today, the company operates across Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna and serves an international clientele, including the United States, the UK, and Japan.
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Building Nigeria’s Workforce: The Outsource Global Academy
To compete globally, Hassan understood that Nigerian graduates needed more than basic skills; they needed specialized training aligned with international standards. She founded the Outsource Global Academy to bridge this gap, offering training programs in customer service, IT, software development, telemarketing, and data management.
The academy’s programs are carefully structured, from communication skills and time management to client-specific training, ensuring graduates are fully prepared for the international market. “Nigeria graduates about a million students every year,” Hassan explained. “We put in structured training—communication skills, attention to detail, critical thinking—to ensure they are ready to serve clients globally.”
Outsource Global’s training model focuses on holistic skill development, allowing graduates to confidently pursue jobs in customer service, law, accounting, and software development. Since its inception, the academy has trained and outsourced hundreds of individuals, preparing them to meet clients’ unique needs worldwide.
Breaking into Specialized Services
One of Hassan’s key strategies has been expanding Outsource Global’s services beyond customer support. Recognizing a gap in fields like legal, financial, and software development outsourcing, she developed partnerships with industry experts globally to design training programs that would empower Nigerians to take on specialized roles. For instance, she collaborated with a Silicon Valley partner to create software development programs tailored to meet the demands of the U.S. tech market.
This adaptability allowed Outsource Global to pivot into higher-value services. They hired Nigerian lawyers, upskilled them to work as paralegals for international clients, and later expanded to offer full legal services. Similarly, the company has established accounting and software services training, creating pathways for Nigerian graduates to participate in specialized roles across various industries.
Innovation Amidst Challenges: A Post-Pandemic Shift
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges and opportunities for Outsource Global. Hassan noticed an urgent need for administrative services in the U.S. healthcare system and quickly adapted her training programs to meet this demand. Partnering with healthcare professionals, Outsource Global created a curriculum focused on Professional Medical Services (PMS), training a dedicated team to serve this critical industry remotely. This flexibility has allowed the company to diversify its offerings further and capitalize on emerging needs in the global market.
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Recognized Leadership and Impact
Amal Hassan’s vision and tenacity have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, she was named one of the 16 women leaders in the Fortune-US Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership, a prestigious program recognizing top businesswomen worldwide. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy also appointed her to Nigeria’s 3MTT Advisory Committee to boost digital employability among Nigerian youth.
Widely celebrated as a role model, particularly for women in Northern Nigeria, Hassan remains dedicated to mentoring young leaders. Through her work, she continues to challenge stereotypes, inspire young women, and demonstrate that Nigerian women can lead impactful tech companies on a global scale.
The Road Ahead
Amal Hassan’s journey with Outsource Global is far from over. As her company expands across Africa, with plans to enter French and Spanish-speaking markets, she focuses on creating sustainable employment opportunities and advancing Nigeria’s reputation in the BPO industry. Hassan envisions Outsource Global as a business and a catalyst for social change.
Her commitment to upskilling Nigerian youth, especially women, fuels Outsource Global’s growth, making it a vital part of Africa’s tech ecosystem. For Hassan, every milestone achieved is a step closer to her ultimate mission: to unlock Nigeria’s development potential and ensure that African talent is recognized, valued, and utilized on the world stage.