September 10, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has renewed calls for stronger collaboration with telecom operators and industry stakeholders to address widening skill gaps threatening the growth and sustainability of the nation’s telecom sector.
Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Aminu Maida, made the call during a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Skill Gaps in the Telecoms Value Chain held in Lagos.
Maida, represented by the NCC Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, said despite creating more than 500,000 jobs since the liberalisation of the industry in 2001, the sector’s progress was now at risk.
He described the shortage of indigenous talent as one of the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Citing a 2024 ITU assessment, Dr Maida revealed that while employers require about 30% of advanced digital skills, only 11% of Nigerian workers currently possess them.
“Critical roles such as data analysts, ICT engineers, software developers, and desktop support technicians already account for 25% of jobs, but 27% of these roles are hard to fill. Demand will rise by nearly 30% in the next five years,” he said.
Maida identified overreliance on expatriates, capital flight, poor remuneration, and brain drain as major drivers of the widening skills gap. He highlighted government-led interventions such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, the Digital States Programme, and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), alongside NCC initiatives like the Digital Learning Initiative (DLI), Campus Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (CIEP), and the Digital Awareness Programme (DAP).
Private operators are also complementing these efforts. Airtel Africa has committed to training 25,000 youths and supporting UNICEF digital learning in over 1,200 schools. MTN Foundation continues to fund STEM scholarships, while ATCON Academy and IHS Digital Hub have rolled out targeted training and incubation schemes.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, emphasised the urgent need for mid-level workers such as riggers, engineers, and technicians. He called for the establishment of a Nigerian Telecom Academy, modelled after the Petroleum Training Institute in Warri, to provide practical training and certifications.
“In four years, I lost 12 skilled technicians in my company to Canada, Germany, the U.S., and the UK. This is not just training—it’s about retention. Countries with strong industries train and also retain their workforce. Nigeria must provide better incentives and social guarantees to keep our talent,” he said.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
