The Future of Work in Nigeria: How AI and Automation Will Shape Careers

As Nigerian professionals navigate this shift, one key question arises: What will AI and automation do to our jobs and what does it mean from a skills standpoint?

In this article, we will look at how AI and automation are already changing Nigeria’s workforce, the challenges that might arise out of this, and the opportunities for those willing to alter for the future.

AI And Automation Already Impacting Nigeria

AI and automation are no longer just buzzwords, and are currently reshaping industry all across Nigeria. Let's look at a few sectors that have seen significant changes:

1.Banking and Finance: AI powered chatbots, fraud detection systems and personalized customer service systems are being adopted by some of Nigeria’s biggest banks, including former GTBank boss Segun Aganga’s Access Bank. However, these technologies have cut the need for many of the traditional roles while making tasks more efficient. That’s just the beginning. Soon AI will be able to automate from loan approvals to risk assessment and everything in between.

2.Agriculture: Nigeria's economy is also seeing an AI revolution in that very backbone of the local economy, Agriculture. AI powered technology is helping farmers to increase yields and cut waste by encouraging smart irrigation systems, drones that monitor crop health, and more. Digital agriculture is being pioneered in Nigeria by companies like FarmCrowdy and others that use AI to match farmers and investors, and advance more efficient farming practices.

3.Healthcare: One of the ways AI can change Nigeria’s healthcare system and in particular, have an impact on remote and underserved areas is by helping physicians, nurses, and other stakeholders in the healthcare system deliver better patient care, at lesser costs. AI powered diagnostic tools to help doctors identify diseases earlier, automated the schedule of appointments and telemedicine, will take the load off of overworked healthcare workers and make these services available to the populace.

The Challenges of Automation:

Will AI Take Away Jobs?

AI and automation certainly have their benefits, but so too do they have their challenges, in particular in terms of job displacement. The World Economic Forum believes that 85 million jobs globally may be displaced by automation by 2025. And this trend is not alien to Nigeria. AI could also replace a lot of clerical and administrative jobs that require repetitive tasks.

But that doesn’t mean massive unemployment. And the reality is that certain jobs may disappear, but many other jobs will rise. The challenge is getting Nigerian workers with the skill for these new roles.

Opportunities for Growth: The Jobs of the Future

Though, AI and automation will create a new crop of careers for Nigerians particularly in Infrastructure and technology, digital innovation. Some of the most promising areas for growth include:

AI and Machine Learning Specialists: The need for professionals to build, maintain, and optimize AI systems will fall upon Nigeria. As more industries begin adopting AI driven solutions, this field is going to grow exponentially. Learning the basics of coding, data science, and machine learning could put you fairly close to jobs in this field.

Data Analysts and Scientists: Data is what drives AI, and the more data businesses have to fuel their systems, the higher the demand for data analysts and scientists to make sense of all the data being generated. With the right courses, you’ve still got a chance to break into this fast growing sector.

Automation Specialists: These professionals make sure automation technologies, like factory robots or automated supply chain systems, play along together. The need for automation specialists to oversee the integration of AI into existing business processes make this skill very relevant to Nigeria workers.

Digital Marketing Experts: On the one hand, AI is changing marketing but on the other hand, digital marketing still needs human creativity and insight. When it comes to data collection, AI tools may be able to automate, but marketing strategies still need people who understand consumer behavior. Digital marketers will always be needed to build compelling, hearts in the field human driven campaigns for Nigerian businesses.

Cyber security Experts: With online businesses adopting AI systems, cyber security has more critical importance than ever. New job opportunities will arise from the growing need to protect Nigerian businesses from cyber attacks, as well as data breaches. With the help of this AI driven world you could specialize in cyber security and become indispensable.

What Nigerians need to do to Prepare for the AI-Driven Workforce.

But when you look at the rise of AI and automation, the uncertainty this might bring to your workforce is quite scary; however, there are steps you can take to prepare for this next wave.