By: Olivia Nnorom
Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria has said he would create one million jobs, in the ICT sector alone, within his first 24 months in Office.
He reaffirmed his commitment towards achieving this in his inaugural speech.
“My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million jobs in the digital economy” Tinubu said.
This is a laudable goal that has the potential to create new jobs, bring expansion and facilitate diversification in the digital space and beyond. However, given the degradation of many other facilities in Nigeria, the feasibility of the plan depends on several factors, including the availability of resources, infrastructure, and skilled manpower as well as its level of commitment and budgetary allocation to the plan.
One of the critical challenges that the government will need to overcome is the availability of infrastructure especially in rural areas, where access to electricity and the internet is limited. The government will need to invest in building and expanding the digital infrastructure to make it accessible to everyone, including those in remote areas.
The level of infrastructural decadence in the country can limit job creation in the digital space by limiting access to electricity, high-speed internet, telecommunication infrastructure, digital devices and transportation infrastructure, which are core requirements for any digital venture to thrive. It is therefore necessary that the current administration take the bold step to tackle these issues that could cause a setback in its revolutionary plan.
Also, if they provide incentives to attract foreign investors, it could increase employment opportunities in the digital space
Another critical factor that will determine the success of the plan is the availability of skilled manpower. The government will need to invest in training and upskilling the workforce to ensure that they have the necessary skills to thrive in the digital space. This will require significant investment in education and vocational training.
The long-term impact of the plan will depend on how well the government is able to execute it.
If the government is successful in providing jobs in the digital space, it will create a ripple effect that will stimulate economic growth and development in the country.
The digital space has the potential to create a significant number of high-paying jobs, which will help to reduce unemployment and poverty in the country.
In conclusion, the Nigerian government’s plan to provide 1 million jobs in the digital space is a commendable initiative which if successfully executed will have long-term impact on the country’s economy and society. However, this would require a coordinated and sustained effort from both the public and private sectors.
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