The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has raised concerns over the growing impact of brain drain in the country’s telecommunications sector, urging collaboration between industry stakeholders and academia to address the issue.
Speaking at the Fifth Edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0) in Lagos, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, emphasized the importance of talent retention for sustaining innovation and development in the sector. Represented by Mr. Tunji Jimoh, the NCC Lagos Zonal Controller, Maida highlighted that the exodus of skilled professionals, driven by the global demand for tech talent, has left significant gaps in the industry.
Citing a report by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Maida revealed that over 500 software engineers and more than 2,000 trained telecom professionals left Nigeria in 2022 alone. He warned that if this trend continues, it could severely hinder the growth and sustainability of the sector.
To address the challenge, Maida urged telecom companies to adopt flexible work policies, offer competitive remuneration, and foster a culture of innovation. These steps, he argued, would create a more attractive environment for local talent, preventing them from seeking opportunities abroad.
He also stressed the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling of the workforce, which would provide employees with opportunities for career advancement and professional development, reducing the urge to leave the country.
Additionally, Maida called for stronger partnerships between telecom companies and educational institutions, such as universities and technical schools, to develop programs tailored to industry needs. This, he said, would ensure a steady flow of skilled professionals into the sector.
Practical initiatives like internships, apprenticeships, and industry-sponsored research projects were also recommended to help integrate students and recent graduates into the workforce.
Maida further emphasized the role of cutting-edge technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) in creating an exciting environment for professionals, making the local telecom sector more appealing to talent.
The NCC, Maida noted, is actively working to mitigate talent migration through programs like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, launched by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, which aims to train 3 million Nigerians in digital skills by 2027. Additionally, the Commission has partnered with Nokia to provide a 4G/5G test lab to equip young Nigerians with necessary skills for the industry.
He also mentioned the NCC’s commitment to promoting indigenous content development through the Nigeria Office for Developing Indigenous Content for Telecoms Sector (NODITS), as part of the broader strategy to retain talent and boost local innovation.
