Expert laments dearth of adequate IT skills in Nigeria
Mr. Adanu Buba, the Managing Director of Viva ICT Foundation, Abuja, says IT skills are in short supply in Nigeria, but exposure to international opportunities and human resource trends could be a plausible solution.
Buba, whose foundation is in information technology (IT) training, stated this in an interview on Friday in Abuja.
He said Nigeria, like most African countries, was still struggling with the dearth of major IT skills.
“Not only is there a shortage in the number of available IT skills, but of the job seekers available, some cannot apply their knowledge in practice, and others who can will soon move outside the country.
“There is no doubt that establishments and businesses are being held back by a skills shortage.
“Many IT specialists have become virtually impossible to recruit. Often candidates hold the relevant qualifications but are unable to perform when put to the test,’’ Buba said.
He said he believes the root cause of the problem is linked to the evolving digital transformation, which cuts across sectors.
Buba added that businesses were under pressure to adapt operating models to accommodate remote working, connectivity, and access and become agile competitors in their industries.
He added that both private and public institutions should look at how other countries in the world are handling the problem.
“We need to get to grips with international employment trends and make it easier for local employees to secure their jobs digitally.
This is especially true of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing, and machine learning,’’ Buba said.
He advised job seekers to find newer ways of delivering and handling their jobs, as artificial intelligence (AI) can replace people in some instances but also create new job opportunities for others.
Buba said: “AI should be seen less as a threat and more as a job enhancement tool.
”Where it does replace actual jobs, it is simply the march of progress—many jobs have been replaced by automation over the years, but in turn many more have been created.’’
