9th January, 2025
VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, has recently achieved a significant milestone by being recognized as a Great Place to Work® Certified™ organization in Nigeria for the period of October 2024 to October 2025.
This acknowledgment highlights VFS Global’s unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of trust, inclusion, and professional excellence. The certification is a testament to the company’s dedication to creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
The Great Place to Work® Certification™ is a globally recognized standard that evaluates an organization’s workplace culture through rigorous surveys and audits, emphasizing parameters such as trust, pride, and camaraderie among employees. The recognition comes as a result of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from VFS Global employees in Nigeria, who rated the company highly on aspects such as employee value creation, workplace safety, inclusivity, and managerial transparency. Many employees expressed pride in being part of the organization, citing its supportive culture and the meaningful work they do.
A Milestone for Nigeria and Beyond
VFS Global’s certification in Nigeria is part of a broader trend of excellence across its global operations. In 2024, the company also earned Great Place to Work® Certification™ in other countries, including China, India, the Philippines, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These certifications collectively underscore the company’s consistent focus on fostering welcoming and supportive professional environments worldwide.
According to Nirbhik Goel, Chief Human Resources Officer at VFS Global, “This Great Place to Work Certification™ recognizes our commitment to employee-focused policies. We have crafted roles that not only offer meaningful work but also pave the way for successful careers within a diverse and inclusive environment. Accounting for a third of our workforce in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, we have more than 250 employees working in Nigeria, and each one has played their part in making our organization a Great Place to Work. A special thank you to our team members for their insightful feedback, which reflects the positive nature of our workplace culture.”
The certification also reflects the company’s broader strategy of embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into its core values. In Nigeria, VFS Global employs 250 individuals, which accounts for one-third of its workforce in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. The diverse workforce in the region has played an instrumental role in advancing the company’s mission of delivering excellence and innovation in outsourcing and technology services.
Employee-Centric Policies and Practices
VFS Global’s recognition as a Great Place to Work® Certified™ organization is no accident. The company has long prioritized its employees by implementing initiatives and policies that enhance their professional growth and personal well-being. These include structured career development programs, ongoing training opportunities, and robust employee engagement initiatives.
A key example of the company’s commitment to employee welfare is its recent hiring initiative in Nigeria. In October 2024, VFS Global hired 60 university graduates from Nigeria under the Nigeria Jubilee Foundation Program, an initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This program focuses on equipping young graduates with employability skills and work-readiness training, demonstrating the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals. Through this initiative, VFS Global has not only contributed to youth employment but has also reinforced its dedication to corporate social responsibility.
Taiwo ‘Dayo-Abatan, Regional HR Head for Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, emphasized the significance of this program: “The award is a testament to our ongoing employee initiatives in the country, which include the recent hiring of 60 university graduates from Nigeria as part of our operations under the Nigeria Jubilee Foundation Program scheme of the United Nations Development Programme. This is part of our objective in ensuring employment for youth trained in employability skills and work readiness.”
The program aligns with VFS Global’s overarching mission of giving back to local communities while ensuring its workforce is equipped with the skills needed to excel in their roles. It also highlights the company’s focus on creating a pipeline of talent that can support its long-term growth objectives.
Recognition for Excellence in HR Practices
In addition to the Great Place to Work® Certification™, VFS Global has received several other prestigious awards in Nigeria that validate its commitment to outstanding HR practices. The company won the HR Expo Africa 2024 Work Festival award for “Category Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” as well as the Employers Excellence Award 2023 in the category of Consultancy, Outsourcing, and Human Capital Services. Another significant accolade was the CIPM Oscars, awarded by Nigeria’s HR regulatory body, further cementing VFS Global’s reputation as an employer of choice.
These awards highlight VFS Global’s ability to implement innovative and inclusive HR policies that resonate with its employees and stakeholders alike. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, the company has created a workplace culture that not only supports individual growth but also drives organizational success.
A Culture of Trust and Collaboration
At the heart of VFS Global’s success is its emphasis on building a culture of trust and collaboration. The company believes that a strong workplace culture is essential for achieving long-term business objectives and fostering employee satisfaction. Through its employee survey platform, VFS Global gathers real-time feedback from its workforce, enabling it to make data-driven decisions that improve workplace policies and practices.
The Great Place to Work® Certification™ process involves an in-depth analysis of employee feedback, focusing on key metrics such as trust in leadership, pride in the organization, and overall job satisfaction. VFS Global’s high scores in these areas reflect its ability to create a workplace where employees feel valued and supported.
Looking Ahead
As VFS Global continues to expand its operations globally, its commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture remains unwavering. The Great Place to Work® Certification™ and other awards serve as a reminder of the company’s dedication to its employees and its role as a leader in outsourcing and technology services.
Moving forward, VFS Global aims to build on its successes by implementing even more innovative HR practices and initiatives. With a focus on employee development, diversity, and community engagement, the company is well-positioned to maintain its status as a great place to work.
In the words of Nirbhik Goel, “Our journey towards workplace excellence is far from over. We remain committed to empowering our employees, fostering inclusivity, and driving innovation in everything we do. Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for our organization and the communities we serve.”
Through its employee-centric policies, commitment to diversity, and dedication to professional excellence, VFS Global exemplifies what it means to be a truly great place to work.
