The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and other industry stakeholders have raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s widening skills gap, warning that the shortage of technical and vocational talent could undermine the country’s ambition of building a one trillion dollar economy by 2030.
At a Technical and Vocational Education and Training summit held in Lagos, stakeholders pointed to a growing dependence on foreign skilled workers as evidence of deep structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s labour market. They argued that without urgent reforms, key sectors of the economy may continue to struggle with productivity and growth.
Business leaders say the private sector must take the lead in bridging the gap, as it remains the engine that will ultimately drive economic expansion. They stressed that while government can set targets, it is businesses that create jobs, build infrastructure, and execute the activities required to reach those goals.
Across industries, the shortage is already being felt. Employers report increasing difficulty in finding competent artisans such as carpenters, bricklayers, and tilers, forcing many to source workers from neighbouring West African countries. This reliance, they warn, raises costs for businesses and limits the development of local capacity.
The issue goes beyond availability of labour to a deeper mismatch between education and industry needs. Representatives from the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted a persistent disconnect between what training institutions teach and the skills employers actually require. As a result, graduates enter the job market unprepared, while companies struggle to fill critical roles.
Stakeholders argued that industries must play a direct role in shaping training curricula to ensure that students acquire practical, job-ready skills. Without this alignment, unemployment and labour shortages will continue to exist side by side.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, the implications are significant. A lack of skilled workers can slow production, increase operational costs, and limit the ability of businesses to scale. In sectors like construction, manufacturing, and services, SMEs are particularly vulnerable to disruptions caused by labour shortages.
There are also broader demographic concerns. With Nigeria’s population growing rapidly, experts warn that failure to invest in skills development could turn what should be a demographic advantage into an economic burden. Millions of young people entering the workforce each year risk being left without employable skills, further widening inequality and slowing national growth.
Participants at the summit emphasised that technical and vocational education must shift from theory-based learning to competency-driven training that reflects real industry demands. They also called for stronger collaboration between regulators, training institutions, and employers to improve quality and relevance.
Internships and hands-on experience were identified as critical components of effective training, with employers urged to actively participate in developing talent rather than waiting to recruit ready-made workers.
Ultimately, stakeholders agreed that sustained investment, policy reforms, and stronger public-private partnerships are essential to closing the skills gap. For Nigeria’s MSME sector, which relies heavily on skilled labour, the success of these reforms could determine not just business growth, but the country’s broader economic future.