Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the NCC, stated the need for better working conditions, competitive pay, and enabling a culture of innovation as key factors in reducing the brain drain affecting the telecom industry. 

This call was made during the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum 5.0 (TSSF), organised by Business Remarks, with the theme focused on mitigating the impact of the talent shortage on the sector’s growth.

Maida, represented by the NCC’s Lagos Zonal Controller, Mr Tunji Jimoh, spoke about the increasing number of skilled workers leaving Nigeria for more lucrative opportunities abroad. 

The global demand for tech talent has seen a huge outflow of Nigerian experts, particularly in the telecom and software engineering fields. Quoting a report from the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Maida revealed that in 2022 alone, over 500 software engineers and 2,000 telecom professionals left the country, creating a large skills gap that threatens the industry’s long-term sustainability.

In response, the NCC executive vice chairman outlined a series of measures aimed at addressing the talent drain. He urged telecom companies to provide remote work options and continuous learning opportunities, which would create a more appealing environment for professionals considering leaving the country. 

Added to this, he emphasised the importance of regular upskilling and reskilling programmes for employees to keep the workforce competitive and provide clear pathways for career advancement.

Another vital recommendation from the NCC executive vice chair was the formation of partnerships between telecom operators and educational institutions. Maida advocated for collaboration with universities, technical schools, and training institutes to ensure that graduates are trained with the skills needed to thrive in the sector. 

He also highlighted the importance of internships, apprenticeships, and industry-sponsored research as practical steps to integrate young talent into the workforce.

Maida further suggested that mentorship programmes be established across the industry, allowing experienced professionals to pass on their expertise to the next generation of telecom workers. This, he noted, would help to close the skills gap and encourage knowledge transfer, keeping the sector competitive on a global scale.

The NCC has also taken steps to address the issue of talent migration through its initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous content and improving digital infrastructure. The commission’s involvement in the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, which seeks to train three million Nigerians in digital skills by 2027, is one such effort. 

In collaboration with partners like Nokia, the NCC has set up a 4G/5G test lab, which will provide young Nigerians with hands-on experience and relevant industry knowledge.

Bukola Olanrewaju, managing editor of Business Remarks and organiser of TSSF 5.0, highlighted the implications of human capital flight, noting that it leads to unignorable challenges in the telecom industry and beyond. 

She explained that the talent exodus doesn’t just drain the industry of innovation but also leads to diminished intellectual capacity, weakened competitiveness, and reduced research and development capabilities. Olanrewaju noted a PwC analysis, which projected a potential loss of $4.7 billion in productivity and tax revenue for Nigeria by 2027 due to the ongoing brain drain.

Despite the challenges, Olanrewaju pointed to opportunities for growth within the sector. In addressing the underlying causes of the talent exodus, such as poor working conditions and a lack of professional development opportunities, the industry could create a more resilient and prosperous environment. 

The focus, she said, should be on promoting a supportive work culture, offering competitive compensation, and investing in talent retention strategies that will position Nigeria’s telecom sector for sustained growth.

The talent exodus remains a huge threat to the future of the Nigerian telecommunications industry, but with coordinated efforts between the government, telecom operators, and educational institutions, the sector can build a workforce that is both innovative and trained to tackle the challenges of the global market.

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The event themed “Mitigating the Effect of Talent Exodus and its Impacts on the Growth of Nigeria’s Telecommunications Industry” is carefully designed to explore and highlight one of the critical challenges facing the sustainability of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

This conference, organised by Business Remarks, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 19th September 2024, at CITIHeight Hotel, Opebi-Sheraton Link, Ikeja Lagos, by 10:00 a.m (WAT).

This conference will feature keynote speeches, thought-provoking discussions, innovative presentations, and networking opportunities from renowned industry experts, providing stakeholders with valuable insights, knowledge, and practical strategies to rethink the possibilities and challenges facing the sector.

Confirmed speakers include the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida; the National Coordinator, the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), Dr Olufemi Adeluyi; Chairman of ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo; Digital Realty Chief Executive Officier, Engr Ikechukwu Nnamani; Open Access Data Center CEO, Dr Ayotunde Coker; Zoracom CEO, John Nwachukwu; Co-Founder, Infratel Africa, Mr Tola Yusuf among others.

Speaking about the event, the convener of the forum and Managing Editor of Business Remarks, Bukola Olanrewaju, noted that the Nigerian telecom sector is currently grappling with a multitude of challenges. These include unreliable power supply, rising operational costs, frequent call drops,  poor network coverage and the high naira-to-dollar exchange rate has hampered telecom companies’ ability to invest in new equipment and infrastructure, further exacerbating these issues.

“Sadly, the sector has started to experience a huge depletion in its talent workforce, a severe brain drain,” she said.

Olanrewaju stressed that the escalating depletion of talent and skilled workforce in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy is a pressing concern. “This loss of human capital poses a significant threat to the nation’s productivity and economic growth.

“The brain drain exacerbates existing skill shortages, hindering the country’s ability to innovate and develop domestically. If left unchecked, this trend could cripple the Nigerian economy.”

According to the International Organization for Migration (UN Migration), international migration is shaped by economic, geographic, demographic, political, and other factors.

Studies have also revealed that the departure of skilled workers diminishes the productivity of various industries, ultimately impacting economic output and growth.

Companies and businesses may struggle to find qualified personnel or workforce, leading to decreased efficiency and competitiveness in both domestic and international market space.

The technology and telecom sector have seen a considerable loss of talents within the last 5 years to various western countries.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics also stated that Nigeria has lost about 10 billion dollars annually due to brain drain (mass migration) since 2010. Similarly, data from the World Bank show that Nigeria’s GDP growth has been negatively affected by the migration of skilled workers.

The Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum fifth edition (TSSF 5.0) is a platform for stakeholders, experts, and policymakers to discuss the root causes, impacts, and potential solutions to this pressing issue. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, this event aims to contribute to the development of effective policies and initiatives to mitigate the effects of brain drain and promote the growth of the Nigerian economy.

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