In a recent DigifyPro Africa brainstorming session held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, experts stressed the crucial need for Nigerian graduates to acquire essential skills for the rapidly evolving digital workplace.

Florence Olumodimu, Country and Programme Director for Nigeria at DigifyAfrica, emphasized the importance of equipping graduates with digital skills to enhance their marketability in the modern job landscape.Olumodimu stated, “With the advancement in technology, it is important to equip Nigerian graduates with essential skills for the digital workplace.

It is for this reason the Digifyng initiative was started four years ago.” The initiative aims to contribute to reducing youth unemployment by providing well-trained Digify Pro graduates with cutting-edge skills for the marketing communications industry.

Highlighting the significance of social media marketing and management skills, Olumodimu explained, “Through our programmes, we have empowered young Nigerian graduates with different digital marketing skills.”

The mission of Digify Africa is to address youth unemployment by training individuals in high-demand skills, enabling them to thrive in the digital economy.

During a panel discussion, Bidemi Ladipo, Head of Portfolio Management (Solutions) at Airtel Nigeria, emphasized the necessity of tech skills for graduates, considering the rapid growth of the tech industry.

“In the fast-evolving landscape of the digital era, acquiring relevant skills is imperative for individuals seeking to navigate and excel in the professional realm,” Ladipo remarked.

Obinna Okerekeocha, Director of Content at Moniepoint Inc., highlighted the vast opportunities in the digital economy, stating, “The digital economy is huge, and there are many ways to make money by creating value through creating creative contents.”

However, a recent survey by GetBundi revealed a concerning gap in digital skills among young Nigerians. More than 100 million lack the digital skills necessary to thrive in today’s marketplace.

Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2023 further ranked Nigeria as having one of the lowest skill proficiencies globally, underscoring the urgency for concerted efforts to bridge this gap and empower the country’s workforce for success in the digital age

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A recent study conducted by GetBundi, an online education technology company, has illuminated a pressing issue – more than 100 million young Nigerians lack essential digital skills needed for lucrative job prospects that hinge on modern capabilities.

According to Mr. Osita Oparaugo, the CEO of GetBundi, the survey findings underscore a stark digital skills gap, which has been closely tied to Nigeria’s distressingly high unemployment rates.

In a noteworthy development, a 2023 survey carried out by GetBundi’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as Digital Skill Education Technology Company, examined 100 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. Shockingly, only 19 of them demonstrated any semblance of digital proficiency.

Oparaugo emphasizes that this skills shortage stands as a pivotal reason why numerous yearly graduates from Nigerian higher education institutions struggle to secure gainful employment in the job market.

He stated, “The dearth of digital skills has emerged as a primary impediment, preventing a substantial portion of graduates from our tertiary institutions from gaining employment.

“The CEO pointed out that, out of the seven individuals possessing rudimentary knowledge in programming, machine learning, and data science, all studied abroad – five in the UK, one in the United States, and one in Malaysia.

Surprisingly, despite their active presence on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, these individuals still lack essential digital competencies.

Oparaugo attributes this digital skills void to Nigeria’s educational system, which he claims is out of sync with the contemporary digital landscape.

He asserts, “Our education system bears significant responsibility. It has long been criticized for not keeping pace with the rapidly evolving digital arena.”

He further argues that the curriculum used in Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions is antiquated and fails to address the practical aspects of vital digital skills.

“Essential digital skills, essential for equipping young individuals for jobs and self-employment, are noticeably absent within the current education system,” he states.

Oparaugo acknowledges that the government recognizes this deficiency and has initiated measures to foster digital literacy and skill acquisition among youths. Initiatives encompass coding boot camps, online training platforms, technology company collaborations, and entrepreneurial programs with a digital innovation focus.

While these efforts are commendable in imparting digital skills and enhancing employability and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths, Oparaugo cautions that bridging the skills gap necessitates cooperation among the government, educational institutions, the private sector, and individuals.

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