How telecom industry provided 500,000 jobs in two decades – NCC

Since Nigeria opened its telecom industry in 2001, the sector has created more than 500,000 jobs, improved communication, and boosted the economy, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

However, the NCC warned that the sector still struggles with a lack of skilled workers, which could slow down future progress.

Speaking at a Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Skill Gaps in the Telecom Value Chain, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, said research shows a big gap between the digital skills employers need and the skills workers currently have. For example, while companies want about 30% of their staff to have advanced digital skills, only 11% of workers today actually do.

He explained that five key roles — desktop/support technicians, data analysts, ICT engineers, software developers, and data scientists  now account for about 25% of jobs. But 27% of these positions are already difficult to fill, and demand for them will rise by another 29% in the next five years.
The NCC grouped the skills needed in the telecom industry into four main categories:

Core Technical Skills (such as network engineering, 5G/6G, fibre optics, spectrum management, and cybersecurity).
Software and Data Skills (like software engineering, AI, cloud, blockchain, IoT, and analytics).

Business and Strategy Skills (including project management, digital business, and policy knowledge).
Soft Skills (teamwork, leadership, adaptability, and communication).

Maida pointed out several reasons for the skill gaps: too much reliance on foreign experts, low pay that makes it hard to retain Nigerian talent, poor alignment between school curricula and industry needs, and the global demand for Nigerian tech workers.

The government is trying to fix this through the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS 2020–2030) and the Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027), which aim to make 95% of Nigerians digitally literate by 2030.

Other ongoing efforts include:
3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme: training Nigerians in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and software engineering.

Digital States Programme: training 20,000 youths in digital skills like content creation and online marketing.
National AI Strategy: building a pool of AI professionals.
National Digital Literacy Framework: creating a curriculum for digital literacy at all levels.

The NCC also runs its own initiatives:
Digital Learning Initiative (DLI): providing devices and digital lessons to schools.

Campus Innovation Entrepreneurship Program (CIEP): helping undergraduates build entrepreneurship and tech skills.