Skill Shortage Driving Dangote’s Foreign Hiring, Says Adeosun

By Ranti Thomas

Concerns over Nigeria’s workforce readiness have come into focus after former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosunexplained why companies like those owned by Aliko Dangote continue to recruit talent from abroad.

According to Adeosun, the challenge is not the availability of workers but the shortage of specialised skills needed for complex industrial operations, especially in sectors like manufacturing and large-scale production.

She noted that despite thousands of applications from Nigerians, companies often struggle to find candidates who meet the technical standards required for certain roles.

This gap, she said, has pushed firms to look beyond the country for expertise, particularly in areas where precision, experience, and advanced training are critical.

Adeosun described the situation as a mismatch between education output and industry demand, where graduates leave school without the hands-on skills employers are seeking.

She added that the problem reflects long-standing issues within Nigeria’s education system, including limited focus on vocational and technical training.

The former minister stressed that unless urgent reforms are introduced, businesses will continue to rely on foreign professionals to fill key positions.

She called for stronger collaboration between universities, training institutions, and private sector players to better prepare young Nigerians for the labour market.

Observers say her remarks highlight a wider economic concern, as the reliance on foreign expertise could limit opportunities for local workers if the skills gap persists.

The discussion also raises questions about how Nigeria can balance job creation with the need for highly skilled labour in a competitive global economy.

As industries expand, the pressure is expected to grow on policymakers to close the skills gap and ensure that more Nigerians are equipped to take on specialised roles.

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