Nigeria’s biggest challenge in building a globally competitive workforce is no longer a shortage of talent but the absence of stronger links between education and industry, according to Emmanuel Eze, country director, HP Nigeria, who says gaming could become one of the country’s most powerful tools for developing future technology professionals.
The technology company is betting that initiatives such as its Gaming Garage programme can help equip young Nigerians with commercially relevant digital skills at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the nature of work.
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Eze, during an interview with journalists in Lagos, said Nigeria already possesses one of Africa’s largest pools of youthful talent and entrepreneurial energy, but risks missing opportunities in the global digital economy unless universities, businesses and government work more closely to prepare graduates for emerging industries.
“There is no shortage of talent or ambition. The real opportunity is creating stronger connections between education, industry and employment so that young people can translate their potential into careers that drive economic growth,” he stated.
The comments come as governments and employers worldwide struggle to prepare workers for an economy increasingly driven by AI, automation and digital technologies. Employers are placing greater emphasis on practical skills and continuous learning rather than traditional qualifications alone.
The country director said countries that have made the greatest progress in workforce development have built strong partnerships among governments, universities and private companies, allowing students to acquire industry-recognised skills while still in school.
Eze believes Nigerian universities must move beyond classroom teaching by exposing students to real-world technologies, collaborative projects and practical problem-solving.
Through its Gaming Garage initiative, HP is using game development as a learning platform that combines software programming, digital design, storytelling, project management and teamwork. The company sees it as a gateway into careers across software development, engineering, digital media, artificial intelligence and the wider creative economy.
“Building a game requires coding, design, storytelling, collaboration, project management and creative thinking. These are capabilities that extend well beyond the gaming industry,” he disclosed.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in how technology companies are redefining digital skills. As AI automates routine work, employers are placing increasing value on human capabilities that machines cannot easily replicate, including creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and adaptability.
The country director argued that organisations investing only in AI technologies without developing people risk falling behind.
“AI will change the way we work, but it will not replace the qualities that make people innovative,” he said, adding that future business success will depend on investing in both technology and human capital.
Eze also predicts businesses will increasingly recruit employees based on their ability to learn and adapt rather than on academic qualifications alone.
That shift could reshape Nigeria’s education system, which HP believes should produce innovators and entrepreneurs instead of simply preparing graduates for existing jobs.
“Education should encourage students to create opportunities, not simply prepare for them,” he said, calling for more practical learning environments where students are encouraged to experiment, solve real-world problems and develop businesses.
Eze also sees opportunities beyond software development. It believes Nigeria’s growing creative economy could become a major beneficiary of stronger digital skills.
Drawing parallels with Nollywood’s global success, the company said future advances in filmmaking, digital storytelling, animation and content production will increasingly rely on technology professionals capable of combining creativity with digital expertise.
He described Nigeria’s gaming sector as a giant waiting to be awakened, arguing that local developers could eventually compete on the global stage if they receive the right technical support and training.
The country director said Nigeria’s long-term competitive advantage would come not from offering low-cost labour but from producing innovators capable of developing technology solutions for both domestic and international markets.
Eze identified stronger collaboration among government, universities and industry as the most important milestone for building a globally competitive workforce over the next five years.
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He also called for wider access to digital infrastructure, flexible professional certifications, lifelong learning opportunities and stronger support for research, innovation and startup incubation.
Beyond workforce development, HP said success should ultimately be measured by whether programmes improve employment prospects, help entrepreneurs build businesses and strengthen Nigeria’s broader digital economy.
If those conditions are created, the company believes Nigeria could emerge as one of Africa’s leading centres for technology innovation, AI talent and creative digital industries, positioning its young population to compete in global markets rather than only serving domestic demand.
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