The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has called for immediate action to prevent further loss of skilled professionals.

NCC made this call worried by the alarming rate of talent migration from Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

It disclosed that over 500 software engineers and more than 2,000 trained telecom professionals fled the country in 2022 alone, posing a significant threat to the industry’s future.

Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), spoke at the fifth edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0), emphasizing the urgent need for Nigerian telecom companies to tackle the exodus of skilled professionals in the industry. Represented by NCC Lagos Zonal Controller, Tunji Jimoh, Maida called for more flexible work policies, enhanced remuneration packages, and the fostering of an innovative work culture to retain talent.

He noted that the global demand for tech professionals has resulted in many of Nigeria’s brightest minds leaving for more lucrative positions abroad, which, if not addressed, could lead to a significant skills gap that threatens the sustainability and growth of the telecom industry. Maida referenced a report from the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), pointing out that the loss of such talent is directly hampering innovation in the sector.

To counter this trend, Maida encouraged telecom companies to offer remote work options, continuous learning, and collaborative work environments to make the sector more attractive to potential professionals. He also urged companies to partner with educational institutions to create programs tailored to industry needs, which would help build a pipeline of young professionals to fill the talent gap. Furthermore, he reiterated NCC’s commitment to promoting indigenous content and improving digital infrastructure to mitigate talent migration and drive sector growth.

The Commission is actively participating in the 3 Million Technical Talent, 3MTT, a programme initiated by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, which aims to train three million Nigerians in digital and technical skills by 2027,” he said