Fidelity Bank Executive Director for Lagos and the South-West, Ken Opara, has warned that artificial intelligence is set to reshape up to 40 per cent of Nigeria’s job skills by 2030, calling for urgent action to boost digital literacy, strengthen infrastructure, and close the country’s widening technical skill gaps. He emphasized that Nigeria must act fast to stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
Speaking at Trinity University’s 2nd Lecture Series themed “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work”, Opara described the technological shift as one of the most significant transformations since the Industrial Revolution. Citing World Economic Forum data, he noted that AI is projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, while Nigeria alone could tap $50 billion in additional value by 2035 through sectors like finance, agriculture, entertainment, and the public sector.
Opara stressed that AI should not be seen as a job destroyer but a tool that amplifies human creativity and productivity. However, he warned that administrative and clerical roles remain highly vulnerable to automation, according to the International Labour Organisation. Preparing Nigeria’s workforce, he said, requires a national commitment to reskilling, responsible innovation, and stronger digital foundations.
Despite the immense opportunities, Opara cautioned that Nigeria risks falling behind if it does not urgently improve digital infrastructure. He highlighted the country’s 48.15 per cent broadband penetration, high data costs, and persistent electricity shortages as major barriers limiting access to essential digital tools. He urged Nigeria’s educational system to evolve quickly, noting that 39 per cent of global job skills are expected to change before the decade ends, and commended Trinity University for expanding its AI-focused curriculum.
Highlighting the rapid adoption of AI in the financial sector, Opara said innovations such as AI-powered fraud detection, digital credit scoring, and virtual customer support could generate up to $5 billion annually for Nigeria’s banking industry by 2030. With over 65 per cent of Nigeria’s population under age 30, he added that the country holds a strong demographic advantage, but only if young people gain the skills needed for the digital marketplace. He urged students to embrace technology fearlessly, quoting Christine Lagarde: “Innovation must be inclusive, or it will become irrelevant.”
source: punch