The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has tasked telcos with industry-academia collaboration in an effort to bridge the skills gap and curb brain drain in the Nigerian telecom sector.
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, who made this call in Lagos as the keynote speaker at the Fifth Edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0), also urged telecom companies to adopt flexible work policies, better remunerations and foster a culture of innovation to create an environment that attracts and retains talents.
Speaking at the TSSF 5.0, organised by Business Remarks and themed “Mitigating the Effects of Talent Exodus and its Impact on the Growth of Nigeria’s Telecommunications Industry,” Maida, who was represented by the Zonal Controller, Mr Tunji Jimoh, said talent is the lifeblood of innovation and development, and the loss of skilled professionals is a major setback for our industry.
According to him, “The global demand for tech talent has driven many of Nigeria’s brightest minds to pursue lucrative opportunities abroad, leaving vacuums in the industry skills gap that potentially can threaten the sustainability of the telecoms sector.
Quoting the report from the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Maida noted that over 500 software engineers and more than 2,000 trained telecom professionals left the country in 2022 alone. This trend, if left unchecked, could jeopardize the growth and sustainability of the industry.
On measures to mitigate brain drain and address talent exodus in the telecom sector, he emphasized the need for telecom companies to continue to invest in regular upskilling and reskilling initiatives for their existing workforce. By offering employees opportunities for professional development, companies not only enhance their workforce’s competencies but also provide incentives for talent to stay, knowing they have a pathway to career advancement within their current organisation.
Furthermore, Maida called for the need to ensure a steady flow of skilled professionals. He tasked the telecom sector and companies to actively engage and partner with universities, technical schools, and training institutes to create tailored programs designed to equip graduates with industry-relevant skills.
This strategy, he explained will not only help fill the talent gap but also promote a pipeline of young, ambitious professionals eager to build their careers within Nigeria. Internships, apprenticeships, and industry-sponsored research projects can be a practical way for telecom operators to integrate students and recent graduates into the workforce, ensuring they have the competencies required to thrive in the sector.
The EVC Boss tasked telcos on Industry-wide mentorship programs, where seasoned professionals can guide younger talent. Maida noted this would be an effective way to encourage the transfer of skills and knowledge. Additionally, telecom companies can collaborate on initiatives like tech hubs, start-up incubators, and innovation challenges to not only cultivate local talent but also to provide platforms for professionals to showcase their skills and stay motivated within the industry.
In her welcome address, Bukola Olanrewaju, Convener, TSSF 5.0 who also doubles as the Managing Editor of Business Remarks, stated that human capital flight, the exodus of skilled professionals from their home countries, has become a global phenomenon with far-reaching implications.
She argued that human capital flight is not merely a statistic; for the telecom industry, it poses significant challenges such as a tangible loss of talent, brain drain, diminished innovation, and intellectual capital. It erodes the very fabric of the industry, leaving behind a
void that is difficult to fill. The consequences are farreaching, from weakened competitiveness to a diminished capacity for research and development.
