Why Nigeria Can’t Join The Tech Giants Now

Nigeria has the capabilities to join the tech giants globally, but it has been revealed why this desirability may not be so for now.

The factors were part of sundry issues traded on recently at a forum of telecom experts – the 5th edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0).

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, who spoke at the event, provided worrying statistics and scenarios why Nigeria’s desirability of joining other tech giants may remain on hold for now.

He spoke around the theme Mitigating the Effects of Talent Exodus and its Impact on the Growth of Nigeria’s Telecommunications Industry, underscoring talent as the life wire of innovation and development.

Inferring those skills crucial for the development of a technology culture, he said unfortunately, they were not being effectively harnessed in the country.

Maida who referenced an Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) data report, said the sector had lost tremendous manpower to the migration of talents.

Over 500 software engineers and more than 2,000 trained telecom professionals left the country in 2022 alone he said, adding that the trend now stood as big challenge to the reaclisation of the country’s aspiration of becoming a tech giant.

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Maida was represented at the forum, by the NCC Lagos Zonal Controller, Mr Tunji Jimoh  and said, professionals, especially in the tech sector, seek environments where they feel valued, engaged, and given the freedom to explore new ideas, incentives, which absence locally had led to the current problem.

But he did not leave it at problem levels along, but proffered solutions.

“Offering remote work options, continuous learning opportunities, and collaborative spaces where creativity is encouraged will make the local telecom sector more appealing to professionals who might otherwise seek opportunities abroad,” he said.

He also challenged telecom companies to continue to invest in regular manpower upskilling and reskilling, adding: “By offering employees opportunities for professional development, companies not only enhance their workforce’s competencies but also provide incentives for talent to stay, knowing they have a pathway to career advancement within their current organisation,” he said.

According to Maida, tailored programmes designed to equip graduates with industry-relevant skills, are desirable, even as telecoms companies should actively engage and partner universities, technical schools, and training institutions in the regard.

A direct benefit of the strategy, he said would be availability of local talent to help fill the talent gap in the sector, and help make possible, Nigeria’s quest to join the tech giants.