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A new report has revealed that over 2,000 telecommunications professionals left Nigeria in 2022, raising concerns about a shortage of skilled workers in the country’s telecom industry. The report, by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), highlights that many professionals are seeking better job opportunities abroad due to poor working conditions, economic challenges, and higher salaries overseas.
To address this issue, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on telecom companies to collaborate with universities to train new talent for the industry.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, made this statement at the Fifth Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0), organized by Business Remarks. The theme of the forum was “How to Deal with the Impact of Talent Loss on Nigeria’s Telecom Industry.”
Represented by the NCC’s Lagos Zonal Controller, Tunji Jimoh, Dr. Maida said losing skilled professionals is a big problem for the industry. He mentioned that over 500 software engineers and more than 2,000 telecom experts left Nigeria in 2022 alone. If this continues, it could harm the future of the telecom industry in Nigeria.
The global demand for tech talent is drawing Nigeria’s top minds abroad with better pay. To keep professionals in Nigeria, Maida suggested that telecom companies should offer flexible working options, provide learning opportunities, and create work environments where people can be creative.
He also stressed the need for telecom companies to invest in the training and development of their current employees. By offering professional growth, companies can keep talented people and help them grow within the company.
Maida urged telecom companies to partner with universities and technical schools to create programs that teach students the skills needed in the telecom sector. He also suggested providing internships, apprenticeships, and research projects to give students real-world experience.
Additionally, Maida recommended mentorship programs where experienced professionals guide younger workers. He also suggested creating tech hubs, start-up incubators, and innovation challenges to encourage local talent and provide them with opportunities to showcase their skills.
Bukola Olanrewaju, the managing editor of Business Remarks and TSSF 5.0 convener, spoke about the global issue of skilled workers leaving their home countries. She said that the telecom industry faces major challenges because the loss of talent can slow down innovation, reduce competition, and harm the industry’s growth.
