Amal Hassan wanted to be a medical doctor so she applied to the university to study medicine. However, the university admitted her to study business administration. She was encouraged by her mother to study the given course or end up in early marriage which was the norm in Northern Nigeria during her time.
After obtaining her degree, she enrolled in a program to study basic computer skills and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering in Lagos. Upon her return from Lagos to Kano, Amal started the first organized IT training center in Kano. Its primary objective was to enable women to acquire IT skills and broaden their job prospects. By 2005, the center had trained over 3,000 women and youths.
However, the bane for youths and women trained at the center was getting employed since they had their first degree in different fields. In a bid to solve this unemployment problem, Amal started a company that provides financial software management solutions to banks thus providing employment for some of her graduates. Observing the poor record keeping in the public hospitals her family uses, she started another company that provides healthcare automation systems for public hospitals. Today her company provide services for six public hospitals.
Amal Hassan took her dream a step further delving into knowledge and business process outsourcing for organizations within various sectors of the Nigerian economy led to the establishment of Outsource Global formerly known as Outsource Group in Abuja. It provides call center services to companies and organizations who want to outsource their customer care.
The Abuja call center for example services the Nigerian Communications Commission among other clients. During a visit by U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington, Amal revealed that the call center also serves clients in the United States of America.
While touring the company with the United States Ambassador, Amal said that the center in Abuja has outsourced the 170 seats it has. They plan to provide 1,000 seats by the end of 2017 including expanding to Lagos and Kaduna. This will mean employment for about 4,000 people since they will run in three shifts.
Ambassador Symington was impressed with the company and what they have achieved over the years. He said it was important because it was addressing one of Nigeria’s most important issues- employment. He suggested that Amal network with other women especially those who face the cultural and gender issues she encountered.
In all, Amal is an inspiring example of what women can achieve despite the obstacles. Coming from a conservative Fulani Muslim background, she has become a successful entrepreneur in her chosen field.
(This article first appeared on the official blog of the United States of America Embassy Nigeria)
