SeamlessHR, a prominent Nigerian HR-tech startup, will expand its customer base by focusing on government agencies; this strategic move will allow the company to capitalize on the burgeoning public sector market. With over 720,000 civil servants, the Nigerian government represents a substantial opportunity for SeamlessHR, offering a stable and lucrative environment for long-term growth.
Traditionally serving mid-to-large enterprises, SeamlessHR is currently in discussions with several ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to onboard them onto its platform. The company has already established itself by providing performance management services to Nigeria’s Port Authority (NPA) and recruitment solutions to the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, as confirmed by Chief Technology Officer Deji Lana.
Lana expressed confidence in the company’s transition to the public sector, noting, “If we’ve succeeded in the private sector, why can’t we do it for government as well?” He acknowledged that while there may be unique configurations required for government operations, the platform is adaptable to meet their specific needs.
SeamlessHR aims to address persistent issues within the public sector, such as transparency, ghost workers, and uneven resource distribution. According to Lana, “We need to engage in this space to tackle the concerns many have regarding fairness, transparency, and equity in resource allocation.”
The push into the government sector comes at a time when the HR-tech landscape in Nigeria is becoming increasingly competitive. New entrants, including PaidHR, Ropay, WorkPay, Cloudenly, and NotchHR, are challenging SeamlessHR’s market position. However, Lana remains undeterred, asserting that SeamlessHR’s primary competitors are global HR-tech giants like SAP, Zoho, and Oracle, who have established comprehensive HR solutions at scale.
“From the outset, we aimed to create a complete HR tech solution,” he stated. “While some of our global competitors have achieved this, our in-depth understanding of local challenges gives us a distinct advantage.”
The Nigerian government sector presents an attractive opportunity, exemplified by companies like Remita, which manages transactions worth approximately ₦21 trillion annually. SeamlessHR envisions playing a crucial role in the government’s digital transformation by offering efficient and scalable HR solutions.
However, entering the government sector poses significant challenges. Many agencies rely on legacy systems that have accumulated years of data and complex integrations with other platforms. Transitioning to SeamlessHR’s system could be a complicated and costly endeavor. Lana believes the transition can be managed effectively, stating, “Government organizations don’t need to switch all at once. They can trial any of our modules before fully transitioning.”
Another challenge is the lengthy sales cycle typically associated with government contracts. The public sector procurement process can be slow and bureaucratic, potentially delaying SeamlessHR’s revenue generation. Nevertheless, the prospects for long-term contracts render this effort worthwhile.
In addition to its government-focused expansion, SeamlessHR is exploring new technological integrations, including artificial intelligence (AI). Lana hinted at the development of an AI-powered recruitment agent capable of conducting interviews, further enhancing the platform’s functionality.
As SeamlessHR looks to the future, it remains dedicated to modernizing HR functions within Nigeria’s public sector. The company’s ability to navigate bureaucratic complexities, secure government contracts, and migrate public institutions away from legacy systems will be pivotal to its success in this new arena.
