Nearly two-fifths of Nigerian workers are already feeling the shift. As artificial intelligence and digital technology reshape how work gets done, businesses across the country are being pushed to rethink not just who they hire, but how they grow the people already on their teams.
The pressure is real and it is arriving fast. Job requirements are changing in ways that make yesterday's skill sets feel outdated, and companies that do not invest in workforce development risk being left behind in an economy that is moving quickly toward automation and digital-first operations.
For workers, the moment calls for honest self-assessment and a willingness to learn. For employers, it calls for something bigger: a genuine commitment to training, upskilling, and building cultures where continuous learning is part of the job, not an afterthought.
Nigeria has no shortage of talent. The question now is whether its businesses will invest seriously enough to meet this moment, or scramble to catch up once the gap has grown too wide to close.
Originally published by BusinessDay.