The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) OF Global Strategic Business Alliance (GSBA),Dr. Iorwakwagh Apera, has identified some challenges facing the future of work in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking Thursday in a keynote address titled: Preparing Nigeria’s Workforce for the future, at the workshop organized by Vivacity Group, in collaboration with other knowledge-based outfits in Abuja, Apera said the challenges are enormous.
According to him: “There is skills gap and mismatch which manifests in disparity between workers’ skills and employers’ needs and changing work demand; Job displacement and insecurity-loss of jobs due to technological advancements, automation, or economic changes; Inequality and access-Unequal opportunities, resources, and access to benefits for certain groups, due to socioeconomic status, location, or demographics; Slow adaption to technological change-Difficulty keeping up with the speed of technological advancements-Weak Regulatory frameworks: Regulatory gaps in new industries (e.g., AI, gig economy).”
Others include; Poor investment on Lifelong learning and upskilling-Outdated skills lead to reduced employability and limited career advancement opportunitie;Fear of Cyber Attack: Loss of trust and credibility, cost associated with cybersecurity.
He however explained that the government can play a crucial role of creating the enabling environment in the Future of Work Initiative, focusing on three key areas:
“Modernizing Worker Benefits and Protections: Governments can update laws and regulations to ensure workers’ rights and benefits keep pace with changing work arrangements.
“Building a Skilled and Resilient Workforce: Governments can invest in education and training programs, promote lifelong learning, and support workers in adapting to new technologies and labor market shifts (Digital Literacy).
“STEM Education: promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
In her goodwill message CEO Vivacity Group, Engr. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, stated that by 2030 92 million jobs would be obsolete because new jobs are evolving through technology using Artificial Intelligence (AI) which she lamented Nigeria is yet to embrace.