Nigeria’s ability to meet the growing demand for skilled technology professionals will depend on strengthening industry-focused education that equips young people with practical, globally relevant digital skills, according to Kallol Mukherjee, head of International Business at Aptech Limited.
Mukherjee said the country’s expanding digital economy requires institutions to move beyond traditional classroom learning by aligning training with the evolving needs of employers across software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data analytics.
Speaking on the graduation ceremony of Aptech Computer Education students in Lagos, he said technology education has become a strategic tool for addressing skills shortages and improving youth employability in Nigeria and other emerging markets.
“The demand for technology professionals continues to outpace supply in many parts of the world. The solution lies in creating education systems that combine global standards with practical, industry-relevant training, enabling graduates to contribute from day one,” Mukherjee said.
He noted that employers increasingly seek graduates with demonstrable technical competencies rather than academic qualifications alone, making hands-on learning and internationally recognised certifications essential for workforce development.
According to him, digital transformation across industries is reshaping labour market requirements, creating opportunities for young Nigerians who possess the right technical and problem-solving skills.
Mukherjee said partnerships between education providers and industry would be critical to ensuring that training programmes remain relevant to changing business needs.
“Technology is evolving rapidly, and education must evolve with it. Institutions have a responsibility to continuously update their curricula so graduates are prepared for current and future workplace demands,” he said.
He added that equipping young people with globally competitive digital skills would not only improve employment prospects but also support entrepreneurship, innovation and Nigeria’s broader economic growth.
While congratulating the graduating students on the ceremony slated for August 8 in Lagos, Mukherjee urged them to embrace lifelong learning, describing continuous upskilling as essential in an industry where technologies and business requirements change rapidly.
The graduation ceremony marked the completion of professional technology training programmes for the students, who received certifications designed to prepare them for careers in the global digital economy.
