The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries has sparked a heated debate in Nigeria about its impact on the job market. While some see AI as a tool that can create new opportunities, others are concerned that it may lead to job losses. Daniel, a young graduate, is among those who have found a way to benefit from AI. He uses the technology to write proposals, improve social media content, and come up with design ideas, making it easier for him to earn a living.
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 estimates that global labour-market changes could create 170 million jobs and displace 92 million jobs by 2030, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs. In Nigeria, where millions of young people need employment every year, the question is not simply whether AI can create or destroy jobs, but who will be prepared to take the new jobs, and what will happen to those whose jobs were changed or disappeared?
For some young Nigerians, AI has already opened new vistas. The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme has helped participants like Victor Babarinde develop their skills as graphic designers and aspiring product designers. Ebuka Promise Ibeh, another 3MTT fellow, said the programme gave him a clearer path into technology after struggling with the cost of learning platforms. These programmes suggest that the government has seen AI not only as a technology that can automate work but also as an area where Nigerian youths can build careers.
The Nigerian government has invested in new technology, including AI and machine learning, data science, software development, cybersecurity, cloud computing, animation, and data analysis, through the 3MTT programme. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has also promoted digital skills training, with 50 unemployed Nigerian youths completing training in data science, AI, and IT essentials under the Digital Literacy for All initiative.
Despite these efforts, concerns about AI's impact on jobs persist. According to IT specialist Francis Bassey, routine tasks such as data entry, basic customer service, and simple content production can increasingly be assisted or automated by digital tools, creating a problem for young people seeking entry-level jobs. A 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer report found that 70 per cent of Nigerians surveyed were concerned that automation could replace their jobs.
Education specialist with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Babagana Aminu, argues that young Nigerians should not approach AI with fear. He said some growing areas of employment include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, and warned that the bigger danger could be failing to learn how to use the technology. Aminu emphasized that it is not AI that will replace people, but those who know how to use AI that will replace those who do not.
As the labour market continues to evolve, experts stress the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Director-General/CEO of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, urged workers to embrace new skills and learn how to use AI, rather than seeing the technology only as a threat to their jobs. With the right skills and mindset, Nigerian youths can take advantage of the opportunities created by AI and remain competitive in the changing job market.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has invested in digital skills training, including AI and machine learning, to prepare young people for the jobs of tomorrow.
- While AI may displace some jobs, it is also expected to create new ones, with the World Economic Forum estimating a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030.
- Experts emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to remain competitive in the changing job market.
