Businesses are adopting automation, artificial intelligence and remote work and this is overhauling workplaces. Practical, when it comes to skills, are becoming the currency of the job market.

In Nigeria, where more than 60% of the population is under 25, that change in focus is even more pronounced.

A growing youth population, commendable internet access and the spread of digital tools are pushing more young people to look beyond traditional qualifications and towards skills that will guarantee income.

Against this backdrop, certain abilities are standing out in 2026, and so are the platforms helping people acquire them.

Skills Employers Are Prioritising in 2026

Digital and technology-enabled skills are at the top of employers’ wish lists.

• Cybersecurity
• Machine learning,
• Cloud computing and
• Data analytics

These are no longer niche areas reserved for specialists. They are fast becoming core requirements across industries.

The World Economic Forum projects that more than half of the global workforce will need to reskill or upskill before 2030, with digital capabilities forming a large part of that demand.

In Nigeria, this is already visible in recruitment trends across fintech, telecommunications, logistics and media.

Artificial intelligence literacy is also moving into the mainstream. Employers now expect workers to understand how AI tools function, how to use them responsibly and how to integrate them into daily tasks.

Alongside AI, data analysis, cybersecurity, cloud services and basic automation skills are attracting strong demand.

Importantly, these abilities are no longer confined to software developers. Marketing teams use data dashboards. Finance teams rely on automation. Operations managers deploy cloud tools. Even customer support roles now require some level of digital competence.

However, technical knowledge on its own is not enough.

The Rise of Hybrid and Human Skills

With technology becoming embedded in everyday work, human-centred skills are gaining more importance. Employers continue to value problem-solving, communication, adaptability and critical thinking.

These qualities enable teams to work effectively with technology rather than compete against it.

In 2026, candidates with hybrid skill sets are likely to stand out. A marketer who can analyse campaign data, a product manager who understands user research and analytics, or a finance professional comfortable with automation tools will often have an edge over peers with narrow specialisations.

In Nigeria’s competitive labour market, where many young professionals share similar academic backgrounds, this blend of technical and soft skills is increasingly a differentiator.

Online Training Platforms to Watch in 2026

Demand for practical skills is now high, and learning platforms are expanding their offerings, particularly in AI, cloud computing and data. Many now partner with global technology firms to provide recognised certificates.

Alongside global brands, Africa-focused edtech platforms are also gaining ground, offering mobile-friendly courses, flexible payment plans and programmes tailored to local realities.

Below are five platforms attracting attention in 2026.

1. Coursera

Coursera is one of the most widely recognised online learning platforms globally. It partners with leading universities and companies to deliver courses in technology, business, health and the humanities.

Learners in Nigeria use it to earn professional certificates in areas such as data science, project management and IT support, with options to audit some courses for free or apply for financial aid.

Pros:

• University-backed content and globally recognised certificates.
• Flexible learning schedules.
• Broad range of subjects, from AI to leadership.

Cons:

• Paid certificates can be costly for some learners.
• Video-heavy courses require stable internet access.
• Less focus on highly localised content.

2. Udemy

Udemy operates a marketplace model, allowing instructors to create and sell courses. It is known for practical, hands-on training in programming, cybersecurity, design and business skills.

Its frequent discounts make many courses relatively affordable.

Pros:

• Extensive course library covering thousands of topics.
• Regular price reductions.
• Lifetime access to purchased courses.

Cons:

• Course quality varies by instructor.
• Certificates are not formally accredited.
• Some courses lack structured progression.

3. LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning focuses on professional development, offering courses in business, software tools, leadership and creative skills. Its integration with LinkedIn allows users to display completed courses directly on their profiles.

Pros:

• Certificates can be showcased to recruiters.
• Short, focused lessons suited to working professionals.
• Strong coverage of business and workplace skills.

Cons:

• Subscription fees may be high for occasional users.
• Limited depth in advanced technical areas.
• Some content may feel introductory for experienced professionals.

4. AltSchool Africa

AltSchool Africa is a Nigeria-founded platform offering structured programmes in software engineering, data, product design and other tech fields. It combines remote learning with mentorship and practical projects.

Pros:

• Programmes tailored to African learners.
• Focus on job-ready tech skills.
• Flexible study options for working professionals.

Cons:

• Smaller catalogue compared to global platforms.
• Intensive programmes may challenge beginners.
• Certifications are still building global recognition.

5. Utiva

Utiva provides cohort-based training in data, product management and digital skills. Its model emphasises live instruction, peer interaction and real-world projects.

Pros:

• Practical training aligned with industry needs.
• Community support and networking opportunities.
• Content designed with African professionals in mind.

Cons:

• Higher fees than many self-paced courses.
• Narrower subject range than larger platforms.
• Fixed timelines may not suit all learners.

Choosing the Right Skills and Platform

For many Nigerians in 2026, the challenge is beyond access to courses but selecting the right path.

Skills that enable remote work, freelancing and digital entrepreneurship are especially attractive, as they allow professionals to tap into global markets.

With smartphone usage rising, mobile-friendly platforms with offline options and low data requirements are also important.

Cost, credibility of certification and practical relevance should guide decisions. Employers are paying closer attention to demonstrable skills and completed projects, not just paper qualifications.

In summary, continuous learning is becoming a necessity rather than an option. Nigeria’s young population, expanding connectivity and global appetite for digital talent create a window of opportunity.

Those who identify in-demand skills early and invest in credible, practical training platforms are likely to be better positioned in a labour market that is evolving faster than ever.

The post Top In-Demand Skills, Training Platforms to Watch in 2026 appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Most people leaders (98%) believe the shift to skills-based hiring provides business benefits.

Yet only 1 in 10 says they have an AI skill – which is cited as one of today’s most in-demand digital skills.

This article looks at the survey’s full findings, based on 11,000+ workers across 11 countries, and shares new data on how the workforce perceives the role that generative AI will play in the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Eighty-four percent of global workers consider skills-based experience more important than a degree when trying to land a job in today’s market.

However, there’s a disconnect between the skills companies are hiring for and those currently used by the workforce. While 4 in 5 global workers report using digital skills in their day-to-day work, few report skills beyond collaboration technology, digital administration, and digital project management.

In contrast, today’s fastest growing and in-demand skills as reported by workers include artificial intelligence (AI) and coding/app development — but they rank among the least used in workers’ day-to-day roles.

The good news? There appears to be less fear — and more excitement — among workers about the potential of emerging technologies to transform the jobs of the future.

This, paired with workers’ reported desire to learn new skills, suggests that companies can help close the digital skills gap by providing continuous, skills-based training to their employees.

A global movement toward skills-based hiring

The shift toward skills-based hiring is evident at all levels. Most (82%) people leaders surveyed said that skills are the most important attribute when evaluating candidates.

Only 18% said that relevant degrees are the most important.

Over half of people leaders (56%) cite talent retention as a business benefit to skills-based hiring. Increased workforce diversity (48%) and knowledge sharing (46%) also ranked highly.

Additionally, most people believe that prioritizing employees’ digital skills development will have positive impacts on wider business performance, citing increased productivity (47%), better team performance (43%), and improved problem-solving capabilities (40%).

Leaders and employees agree on the need for AI skills

Workers are excited about emerging AI technologies like generative AI. Sixty percent of global workers reported excitement about the prospect of using generative AI for their job. In fact, more workers were excited about its use in their workplace (58%) than worried about it replacing them in their job (42%).

This is in line with interest from management: Globally, two-thirds of people leaders(67%) say that their company is considering ways to use generative AI.

Despite this excitement, recent research shows that while over half of U.S.-based senior IT leaders say their business is currently using or experimenting with generative AI, 66% say their employees don’t have the skills to successfully leverage the technology.

Workers agree that AI skills are important: Nearly one-fourth of global workers rank AI skills as among the top three most important digital skills right now. This number rises when asked about the importance of these skills over the next five years.

As needs evolve, workplace skills lag

Despite its importance to their future skill set, only 1 in 10 workers say their day-to-day role currently involves AI. 

A mere 14% say their role involves other, related digital skills like encryption and cyber security, and a smaller 13% claim to use coding and app development skills.

The industry indexing the highest for AI skills, specifically, is the technology industry, but even for this industry, less than a third of employees (27%) use AI skills within their role today.

Outside of traditional IT roles, this number drops further; less than 10% of those in healthcare (8%) and the public sector (6%) report they use AI skills in their day-to-day role.

The path forward is upskilling. Nearly all (97%) global workers believe businesses should prioritize AI skills in their employee development strategy.

Upskilling is critical across wide swaths of these emerging technologies. As a result of the rise in AI and automation, people leaders say data security skills (60%), ethical AI and automation skills (58%), and programming skills (57%) will become increasingly important in the workplace.

When asked what ‘soft’ skills will likely be more important as a result, people leaders ranked creative imaginative skills (56%), customer relationship skills (53%), and leadership skills (51%) highest.

Fortunately, companies seeking to boost emerging technology skills and focus on skills-based hiring have something going for them — workers want to expand their limited set of digital skills. Nine in 10 believe that businesses should prioritize digital skills development for their employees.

The post Only 1 in 10 Global Workers Have In-Demand AI Skills – Study appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.