SeamlessHR, a leading Nigerian HR-tech startup, is setting its sights on the public sector, targeting government agencies as part of its next growth phase. With Nigeria’s civil service comprising over 720,000 employees, the company sees a $720 million opportunity to revolutionize human resource management across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Bringing SeamlessHR to Government Agencies
SeamlessHR has built a strong reputation among mid-to-large enterprises, and now it’s taking that expertise to the public sector. The company has already secured key government clients, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program. Discussions are ongoing with agencies like the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to expand adoption further.
“If we’ve done this successfully for the private sector, why can’t we do it for the government as well?” said Deji Lana, SeamlessHR’s Chief Technology Officer, in an interview with TechCabal. “There might be some unique requirements, but our platform is flexible enough to adapt.”
SeamlessHR believes its solutions can help the government tackle challenges like ghost workers, payroll inefficiencies, and transparency issues—all of which have long plagued Nigeria’s civil service.
Challenges and Growth Prospects
Breaking into the public sector, however, comes with two major challenges:
1. Legacy Systems & Integration – Many government agencies still rely on outdated HR and payroll software. To ease the transition, SeamlessHR is allowing MDAs to adopt its tools in phases before fully switching over.
2. Bureaucratic Procurement Process – Government contracts often take time due to regulatory approvals and long sales cycles. However, the long-term value of public sector deals makes them worth pursuing.
Despite competition from local startups (like PaidHR, Bento, and Ropay) and global HR giants (such as SAP, Zoho, and Oracle), SeamlessHR remains confident. “Our deep understanding of Nigeria’s workforce challenges gives us an edge,” Lana emphasized.
The Future: AI-Powered HR & Beyond
Beyond expanding into government, SeamlessHR is exploring artificial intelligence (AI) integrations. The company is working on an AI-powered recruitment assistant capable of conducting interviews, further automating talent acquisition for both the private and public sectors.
As Nigeria pushes for digital transformation, SeamlessHR aims to be at the forefront, helping the government streamline operations, enhance transparency, and modernize workforce management. The company’s ability to navigate public sector complexities will determine how well it capitalizes on this multi-million-dollar opportunity.
