According to Kashifu Inuwa, Nigeria’s readiness to integrate its youth into tomorrow’s workforce hinges on their technological application—not just exam performance. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) director general made this point central during a recent address.
Kashifu Inuwa urged Nigerian educators to reconsider traditional teaching approaches and focus more on practical digital abilities, critical thinking, and problem-solving. He delivered this address at the English West and Central Africa Instructor Safari Conference 2026 held in Abuja.
Shifting from Exams to Practical Digital Skills
Inuwa stated that Nigeria should shift away from an examination-centered educational model toward one that prepares students with applicable skills for workplaces, enterprises, and the broader economy. As technological progress speeds up, the capacity for continuous learning, solving detailed problems, and adapting to new technologies will increasingly affect individuals’ competitiveness in the job market.
The NITDA director general’s remarks coincide with a new reality for governments, employers, and schools in the employment sector. Artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are generating fresh prospects while altering current professions.
The Importance of Digital Skills Training
Sharing his own career background, Inuwa described to the conference how digital skill development influenced his professional path and created opportunities beyond his initial technical specialization. He is a graduate of the Cisco Networking Academy, which facilitated his shift from website development to network engineering.
Inuwa’s experience demonstrates the benefits of educational paths that allow individuals to gain new abilities, switch between technical fields, and adapt to evolving industry needs. He encouraged instructors to make certain that learners know how to use their knowledge to address real-world challenges.
This difference matters in a job market where employers increasingly seek employees who can recognize issues, grasp system interactions, investigate technical failure origins, and create practical solutions. Inuwa asked teachers to prioritize experiential learning, critical analysis, root-cause examination, systemic thinking, and leadership.
The Future of Jobs
Inuwa referenced the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 to show the extent of change facing workers and employers. The report forecasts that by 2030, worldwide labor market changes might create 170 million jobs while eliminating 92 million existing positions, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs.
Nevertheless, the predicted expansion does not guarantee that every displaced worker will automatically fill a new position. Access to suitable education, retraining programs, and chances to develop new competencies will shape how individuals and economies manage this transition.
