By The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged telecom companies to adopt flexible work policies, offer better pay, and encourage innovation to help retain skilled workers in the country.
At the fifth edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0) organized by Business Remarks, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, spoke about the growing trend of skilled professionals leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad. He emphasized that losing these professionals is a major setback for the country’s telecom industry, as talent is crucial for growth and innovation.
Maida referred to a report from the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), which stated that over 500 software engineers and more than 2,000 trained telecom professionals left Nigeria in 2022. If this continues, it could harm the industry’s development.
To address this, Maida suggested telecom companies offer flexible work options, remote work, continuous learning opportunities, and creative spaces to make the sector more attractive to professionals who might be looking to work abroad. He also stressed that telecom companies should focus on improving the skills of their current employees by providing professional development opportunities.
Maida encouraged telecom companies to partner with universities and technical schools to develop programs that provide industry-relevant skills to graduates. This approach will not only help fill the skill gap but also build a pipeline of young professionals ready to work in the telecom sector.
The NCC is also working on initiatives to address talent migration, including its collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to train 3 million Nigerians in digital skills by 2027. The NCC has also partnered with Nokia to provide a 4G/5G test lab to help young Nigerians gain hands-on experience.
In her welcome speech, Bukola Olanrewaju, the convener of TSSF 5.0 and Managing Editor of Business Remarks, highlighted the global problem of skilled workers leaving their home countries. She stressed that this brain drain leads to a loss of talent, innovation, and intellectual capital, which can weaken the telecom industry.
