‘AI to reshape 40% of Nigeria’s job skills’

Ex Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Mr Ken Opara

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Fidelity Bank Executive Director for Lagos and the South-West, Ken Opara, has said artificial intelligence will reshape as much as 40 per cent of Nigeria’s job skills by 2030, warning that the country must accelerate digital literacy, strengthen infrastructure, and close widening skill gaps to remain competitive in the global economy.

Opara delivered the remarks during a presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Opportunities and Challenges in a Digital Era” at the 2nd Lecture Series of the Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, Trinity University, Lagos, held on 27 November 2025.

He said the global economy is undergoing a transformation comparable only to the Industrial Revolution, with AI projected to add $15.7tn to global GDP by 2030, according to World Economic Forum estimates. For Nigeria, he said AI could unlock $50bn in additional value by 2035, especially through gains in finance, agriculture, entertainment, and public-sector efficiency.

“AI is not a threat to jobs; it is a multiplier of human creativity and efficiency,” he said, citing International Labour Organisation projections that administrative and clerical roles are most vulnerable to automation. “This era calls for readiness, reskilling and responsible innovation.”

Opara warned that despite the potential, Nigeria risks missing out if digital infrastructure remains weak. He noted that broadband penetration stands at 48.15 per cent, while high data costs and unstable electricity continue to limit access to digital tools necessary for inclusive growth.

He said Nigeria’s education system must evolve quickly, as nearly 39 per cent of global job skills will change before the end of the decade. “Universities like Trinity must embed AI literacy to remain relevant,” he said.

Highlighting the rapid adoption of AI in finance, Opara said AI-powered fraud detection, credit scoring, and customer service could add $5bn annually to Nigeria’s banking value chain by 2030. Electronic payment transactions reached N1.07 qa in 2024, almost 80 per cent higher than in 2023, reflecting deeper digital integration across financial services.

“With over 65 per cent of Nigerians under 30, the country has a demographic edge,” he said, referencing African Development Bank estimates that closing Africa’s digital skill gap could create 230 million jobs by 2030.

Opara commended Trinity University for expanding its AI-focused curriculum and fostering technology-driven research, saying institutions that evolve into innovation ecosystems would shape Nigeria’s place in the global digital market.

He called for inclusive innovation, quoting Christine Lagarde: “Innovation must be inclusive, or it will become irrelevant.” He urged students not to fear technology but to “learn it, master it and use it to serve humanity.”

Justice has over three years experience spanning digital and print media. At The PUNCH, he currently covers the automobile sector with special interest in features and industry analysis.

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