Oshioriamen Agbomekhe, a Nigerian in his twenties, has navigated an eclectic array of roles in his young life—photographer, backup vocalist, actor, and writer, to name a few. Yet, despite earning a degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Benin, he finds himself today deeply embedded in the tech world. Oshioriamen works as a tech assistant for a startup and, most recently, as an English-Language teacher for foreign students. From his home in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, he connects with students across the globe, all made possible by the digital revolution
“Israel, Poland, Peru, and Saudi Arabia are the countries where I currently have students,’’ he says. “But I’m working on breaking into those Asian countries.”
Oshioriamen is one of millions of young Nigerians who have carved out careers in the vast, digital landscape that technology has created. The barriers of distance have crumbled, opening doors to a myriad of career paths that would have been inconceivable just a few years ago.
Today, fields like data analysis, cybersecurity, coding, forex trading, virtual assisting, freelancing, and web development have not only created new job opportunities but also shifted the spotlight away from traditional professions. Once-dominant careers in medicine, law, and banking are now competing with technology-driven jobs for the attention of the younger generation.
Technology has even transformed these traditional roles, making them more tech-driven and creating new opportunities for tech-savvy individuals in every industry.
“Technology has been instrumental in our endeavors,” says Ireoluwa, another young person capitalising on the opportunities that technology provides. “It streamlines tasks like team meetings, organizational development, and skill-sharing, allowing us to focus on what matters most – creative growth and collaboration.”
Despite having studied microbiology, Ireoluwa now earns his living as a brand identity designer and has recently launched his own Edu-tech company, ArtsyGalleria.
“Our mission is to empower young minds with employable skills, create marketable platforms, and bridge the gap between young creatives and professionals. We’ve assembled a team of seasoned instructors in Creative Writing, Product Design, and Graphics Design, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative leaders.”
In today’s world, technology has provided a platform where creativity can not only thrive but also become a lucrative source of income. Creative endeavors that once struggled for recognition due to geographical barriers now have a global stage. Careers like YouTubing, content creation, and influencing have not only brought international relevance to many young Nigerians but have also made them financially comfortable—if not wealthy. Many have found that they no longer need to pursue traditional 9-to-5 jobs as their online ventures fully meet their financial needs.
While these new career opportunities have exploded in popularity, the Nigerian university system has been slow to adapt. Traditional courses remain the norm, leaving out crucial subjects like data analysis, cybersecurity, and content creation. This gap has been filled by Edu-tech platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and various startups, making Edu-tech one of the most significant trends in today’s educational landscape.
As technology rapidly advances and artificial intelligence (AI) rises, there are concerns that the need for human employment will drastically decrease. However, these fears may be overstated.
According to GitHub, the number of Nigerians working in the tech ecosystem surged by 45.62 percent in 2023, reaching 872,162 software developers. The World Economic Forum predicts that while AI may replace approximately 85 million jobs by 2025, it will also create around 97 million new roles. This net gain highlights AI’s potential to drive economic growth and diversify job opportunities, with AI increasingly seen as a tool that complements human skills rather than fully replacing them.
The collaboration between AI-generated content and human creativity exemplifies this symbiotic relationship. Overall, the fear of technology or AI replacing human jobs is not entirely justified. Technology thrives on human input, and our role is to leverage the benefits that technology brings to the world. While traditional professions like law, accounting, and medicine will always hold significance, technology-driven career paths will continue to flourish, shaping the future of work in Nigeria and beyond.
Oshioriamen Agbomekhe, a Nigerian in his twenties with a degree in Industrial Chemistry, has held various roles including photographer, actor, and writer. Currently, he works as a tech assistant and an English-language teacher for foreign students from countries like Israel, Poland, Peru, and Saudi Arabia. This shift to tech-driven roles is part of a broader trend among Nigerian youth who are capitalizing on the opportunities provided by digital technology. Fields such as data analysis, cybersecurity, and content creation are attracting more interest than traditional careers in medicine, law, and banking.
Young Nigerians like Ireoluwa, who transitioned from microbiology to becoming a brand identity designer and founder of an Edu-tech company, highlight how technology enables creative and tech-savvy careers. Edu-tech platforms are filling educational gaps left by traditional universities, offering crucial courses in emerging tech fields. The rapid growth of technology has also led to an increase in coders, with Nigerians in the tech ecosystem growing by 45.62% in 2023 according to GitHub.
While there are concerns that AI might reduce human employment, it is projected to create more jobs than it replaces, driving economic growth and diversifying job opportunities. AI and human creativity are seen as complementary rather than oppositional. Overall, technology-driven careers will continue to evolve and coexist with traditional professions, shaping the future of work globally, including in Nigeria.
