The Majority Of Workers In Nigeria And South Africa Fear Job Skills Obsolescence Within 5 Years Due To Rapid Technological Changes, Reveals Global Labor Market Conference Report
- More than half of workers in Nigeria (59%) and South Africa (57%) express concern about the potential redundancy of their skills due to technological advances over the next decade.
- 21% of respondents in Nigeria and South Africa believe that their jobs may eventually be replaced by robots or computers.
- Limited time, financial constraints, and insufficient collaboration between the public and private sectors hamper upskilling efforts, especially in Africa’s rapidly evolving labor markets.
Rapid technological progress is causing serious concerns among workers in Nigeria and South Africa, Africa’s largest economies, about the future of their job skills, a new report from the Global Labor Markets Conference shows.
The report stated, Navigating tomorrow: Mastering skills in a dynamic global labor markethighlighted concerns about how workers in 14 countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, are coping with obsolete job skills as automation and digital transformation reshape industries.
In Nigeria, 59% of workers fear their skills may be partially or completely obsolete within five years, while in South Africa the figure is 57%. These concerns put the two countries among the worst globally, alongside Brazil (61%), China (60%) and India (55%).
Rapid technological change in recent years has driven a sense of urgency in both Nigeria and South Africa. Respondents noted an urgent need to develop skills aligned with emerging trends, including digital literacy, critical thinking and STEM capabilities.
Dr Seamus McGuinness, Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), commented:
“More than half of workers in major economies believe their skills could become obsolete in just five years. This concern highlights an opportunity: Governments, businesses and communities must turn this anxiety into proactive solutions for Upskilling and reskilling create viable pathways, and technological progress must be matched with investment in human potential to ensure no worker is left behind.”
automation anxiety
The report also shows that 21% of respondents in Nigeria and South Africa believe that their jobs may eventually be replaced by robots or computers. This is in line with global trends, with countries such as China (36%), India (26%) and Australia (25%) also reporting high levels of automation anxiety.
As Nigeria and South Africa undergo major economic shifts towards automation in manufacturing, finance and agriculture, the findings underscore the urgency of developing a workforce equipped with technical and human-centric skills to operate in an AI-driven world Thrive.
Barriers to upskilling in major African economies
The report identifies several barriers to upskilling in Nigeria and South Africa. Time constraints remain a significant challenge, with more than 40% of global respondents citing a lack of time as a barrier to pursuing new skills. Financial challenges were also a major concern, as 39% of participants said the affordability of training programs limited their ability to upgrade their skills. Additionally, limited coordination between government, the private sector and the education system complicates access to effective training and development programs.
confidence in government support
Research shows that workers in Nigeria and South Africa have greater confidence in corporate leadership efforts to improve skills than in governments. Only 19% of global respondents expressed confidence in government-led initiatives, compared with 49% who trusted business-driven initiatives.
This trust gap requires African governments to prioritize skills development policies that meet the needs of a diverse workforce while ensuring collaboration with the private and non-profit sectors.
Climate change and skills development: Nigeria among the worst affected countries
Nigeria emerges as one of the countries where climate change is having a significant impact on upskilling decisions, with 26% of respondents noting its impact. This contrasts with lower awareness in countries less affected by environmental challenges. These findings demonstrate opportunities for Nigeria to integrate green skills into workforce development strategies.
Essential skills for a technology-driven world
The report highlights the importance of cognitive, managerial, socio-emotional and STEM skills in today’s dynamic labor market. Respondents in Nigeria and South Africa highlighted cognitive skills such as critical thinking and problem solving as priorities for their future careers.
The full report and executive summary of findings are available for download https://we.tl/t-YWZx5kjN2X
The Global Labor Market Conference will hold its second annual conference on January 29-30, 2025, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
Registration for the 2025 event is now open. If you are interested in participating, please sign up here.
