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  • The Future of AI Skills and Workforce Training in 2025

    The Future of AI Skills and Workforce Training in 2025

    By Maureen Lonergan

    In 2024, generative AI dominated conversations in the technology industry, with businesses worldwide exploring its potential. As we move into 2025, the focus is shifting from mere discussions to real-world implementation, as organizations transition from proof-of-concept experiments to full-scale adoption.

    A recent Deloitte study revealed that two out of three organizations are increasing their investment in generative AI due to its early business value. This rising investment signals a growing demand for AI skills, pushing leaders to prioritize AI training for their employees. AWS responded to this need by training two million people globally in 2024 as part of Amazon’s AI Ready initiative, and this demand for AI education is only expected to increase.

    As companies continue integrating AI into their workflows, leaders must not only focus on technical skills but also support their workforce in adapting to change. Here are five key trends that will shape AI skills training and workforce development in 2025:

    The Balance Between AI and Soft Skills

    While technical AI skills are essential, leaders must also emphasize soft skills such as communication, decision-making, coaching, and change management. The adoption of generative AI brings uncertainty, requiring leaders to guide employees through transitions with clarity and confidence. Organizations must foster a culture of continuous learning, critical thinking, and experimentation to fully capitalize on AI’s potential.

    AI-Powered Learning Expands Access to Education

    Generative AI is set to revolutionize education by making personalized learning more accessible. AI-powered tutors can provide real-time support, adapting to individual learning needs and offering customized recommendations. This technology has the potential to level the playing field, providing high-quality educational support to those who previously lacked access to personalized instruction.

    Digital Learning Assistants Drive Business Growth

    AI-driven learning tools aren’t just beneficial for students—they are transforming employee training as well. Businesses investing in digital training methods will see a higher return on investment as employees gain skills faster and more effectively. A workforce that can quickly adapt to new technologies will accelerate innovation and improve overall business performance.

    Cohort-Based Training for Rapid Skill Development

    Organizations are increasingly adopting short-term, highly focused training programs to keep pace with technological advancements. Cohort-style training, which combines hands-on learning with collaborative problem-solving, helps employees develop actionable skills. This approach enables companies to quickly deploy newly trained talent to critical roles, ensuring immediate business impact and greater leadership buy-in for future training initiatives.

    Measuring the Business Impact of AI Training

    As organizations invest in AI training, assessing its effectiveness becomes crucial. Beyond productivity gains, companies must evaluate factors such as employee engagement, retention, efficiency, collaboration, and risk-taking confidence. The true measure of training success lies in the new opportunities and innovations made possible by upskilled teams.

    Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

    The rapid evolution of AI presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses. While the exact impact of AI in 2025 remains uncertain, one thing is clear—leaders who prioritize workforce development and foster a culture of continuous learning will be best positioned for success. Investing in employee skills today will be a key factor in navigating the AI-driven future and ensuring long-term business growth.

  • Firm launches training for women

    Firm launches training for women

    Lafarge Africa PLC has begun the 2024 edition of its Female Tilers and Block Laying Training Programme. The initiative, which started at Nawair Ud Deen High School in Ebute Metta, Lagos, aims to equip 40 women from low-income communities with essential skills in the traditionally male-dominated construction sector through a four-week intensive training.

    Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development at Lafarge, Viola Graham-Douglas, stressed the importance of breaking gender barriers through such initiatives.

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    “I am proud of what we are doing as an organisation in empowering women in our communities. Stereotypes around jobs or vocational skills no longer exist as we build an equitable world for all. It is important we give women the support they require to thrive and succeed,” she said.

    Reflecting on the training process, Folarin Sukanmi Quadri, trainer representative, Lagos State Tilers Association, thanked the firm for its commitment to empowering women.

  • Formation Exceptionelle’s training to bridge gaps in contract drafting

    Formation Exceptionelle’s training to bridge gaps in contract drafting

    Formation Exceptionelle, a leading provider of legal training and consulting services, has announced the launch of a new specialized training program designed to bridge critical gaps in contract drafting. This comprehensive program will equip legal professionals with the essential skills and knowledge needed to draft effective, enforceable contracts in today’s complex legal landscape.

    The event, titled: “Practical Training on Contract Drafting and Review, Risk Management, and Company Secretariat,” will take place from October 15th to 17th, 2024, at The Panoramic View Hall, Civic Center, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

    Dr. Ayodele Oni, Director of Formation Exceptionelle, highlighted the motivation behind organizing the training, emphasizing the importance of keeping pace with the rapidly changing global legal environment. “The world is constantly evolving, bringing new challenges and opportunities. The legal landscape is shifting from what was taught in school to what is actively unfolding globally.

    Dr. Oni stated: “As professionals, we must stay ahead of these trends. This training is designed to help lawyers refine their existing skills while also exploring new areas of law, using real-life cases and scenarios to provide practical, hands-on learning.”

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    The training aims to fill a critical gap in the legal space. Dr. Oni noted: “It is evident that some lawyers still struggle with drafting straightforward contracts or effectively negotiating on behalf of their clients. Mastering these skills goes beyond just reading textbooks—it requires hands-on guidance from industry experts who can teach the nuances of contract drafting. This essential gap is precisely what Formation Exceptionelle is here to address.”

    Participants in the program will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals and complexities of contract drafting.

    The training will cover essential topics such as oil and gas agreements, the drafting and negotiation of ship and aircraft documents, and effective due diligence practices.

    Additionally, the event promises to offer unique opportunities for professional networking and peer engagement, complemented by motivational speeches from seasoned industry experts.

    The lineup of distinguished speakers includes Dr. Ayodele Oni (Partner, Bloomfield Law Practice), Funmilayo Otsemobor (Mrs.) (Partner, Aluko & Oyebode), Adedoyin Afun (Partner, Bloomfield Law Practice), Desmond Ogba (Partner, Templars Law), Dipo Akinbode (Group Deputy General Counsel, Aradel Holdings) and Oluwadare Agbelese(Group Head, Legal and Supply Chain Management, Waltersmith).

    These experts will provide participants with hands-on guidance and insights into the nuances of contract drafting and legal practice.

  • Firm sponsors workers’ training  

    Firm sponsors workers’ training  

    Chief Executive Officer of Royal Hair Limited and Radiant Revive Limited, Mr. Steve  Maduka, has said over 200 direct and Ad Hoc workers of the companies will benefit from the firms’ Personal Improvement Scheme (PIS). 

    “Besides the financial benefits, the beneficiaries will also enjoy the opportunity of being trained at the Lagos Business School (LBS) for two weeks in Essential Management Skills,” he said.

    Speaking at inauguration of the programme, Maduka said the training would improve the skill of workers in management.

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    He said hard work would be rewarded with better incentive, adding last year, eight personnel benefited from the training programme at LBS.

    “There’s opportunity for growth and improvement, but only those who work hard and show commitment to work will benefit from the incentives and training for workers,” he said.

    Maduka noted before end of first quarter, there would be 25 per cent increase in employment, thereby helping to empower more youths to have a source of livelihood.

    He said in an effort to grow the business, more branches would be opened this year to meet business goals and objectives.

  • Training not enough

    We should transform the economy if we must stop brain drain

    The national stress of watching able-bodied youth as well as middle-age professionals leave our borders in waves began about three decades ago. Today, it is even worse. Many Nigerians who have lost their nerves and verve as citizens have turned their belief to other lands, leaving the country to wait for more waves.

    These days many eye Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and some Asian nations because of the scrutiny of visas in the United States and Great Britain.

    Recently, Nigerians were a big part of the continental scandal of migrants fleeing poverty and misery in their country by risking death and destruction travelling on turbulent waters as passengers on precarious boats to Europe. Before that, they travelled through miles of a desert plagued by bandits, shysters and opportunists. The dramas of their return scarred a country that cannot give a reliable data of how many died or were lost in the escapade of desperadoes.

    To discourage this trend, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI) has flagged off a programme to train young and enthusiastic Nigerians in skills that can make them self-employed and profitable. The initiative will take place across the country, but it has already started in the Surulere and Yaba areas of Lagos. Soon it will happen in Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, and the northeast.

    According to NCRMI’s southwest zonal head, Margaret Ukegbu, the programme is “the most practical and result-oriented way of empowering these returnees and persons of concern to become self-sufficient and self-sustaining.”

    At the end of the training, the commission will issue each of the trainees a certificate and seed money to trigger their businesses. They are starting with 2,000 beneficiaries.

    The skills administered to the trainees include cosmetology, phone repairs, soap making and photography. We cannot but commend the Federal Government and its agency, NCRMI, for nurturing entrepreneurial acumen in fellow citizens.

    The principal reason of the efflux of talent from Nigeria is to secure the proverbial Golden Fleece. The main definition of it is jobs. Many want a sense of self-worth, and having a place to work and earn a living wage would discourage any such flow of humans out of a place. That quite a few of the young have taken part with eagerness underscores why creating jobs cannot be overstated.

    In the just-concluded presidential campaigns, the contending parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as well as the other lesser known ones promised to give job creation a boost by making it a priority. But it is no mean task.

    About half a million Nigerians graduate from tertiary institutions every year, and an increasing number of young people graduate in European, American and Canadian universities. According to a 2016 report by Jobberman, a recruiting agency in West Africa, about 47 percent of Nigerian graduates had no jobs. It is worse even today. The numbers swell year-on-year as the unemployed in one year add to the next year.

    Nigeria has the top number of migrants on the African continent, and about seven million leave the continent every year. Nothing demonstrates its potency more than in the medical field in which 12 doctors migrate to the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States every week, according to the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD). That means close to two doctors leave Nigeria every day. This is an emergency. The doctors also claim that less than 40,000 resident doctors practice in Nigeria. This figure is a boon as 88 percent of these medical experts want to leave to join their fellow professionals abroad.

    For a nation dealing with avoidable deaths daily, especially from such illnesses as malaria and typhoid, it shows that the problem of development puts Nigeria in a low scale among failing states of the world. Nigeria is also listed among nine African nations that lose $2 billion yearly training doctors who benefited other lands.

    Other than medical doctors, many institutions abroad have nurses and pharmacists. We also have Nigerians who are by far under-employed because of their skin colour and accent and country of origin.

    Yet, they leave. It means efforts by successive governments to provide jobs have fallen abysmally short of the jobless rate. The figures of tertiary institutions graduates are high enough, but the numbers of high school and other lower educational graduates are even higher. The only answer is a drastic approach to the economy that disrupts the now staid outlook of gradualism.

    The Buhari administration’s approach of roads and railways are commendable, but we need greater pace so as to engender more jobs.

    The NCRMI training programme only tackles a small part of a big and expanding challenge. We must show a radical sense of solution. If the migrant crisis in Libya and the high seas looked outward, it may be even more turbulent if they are trapped here and decide to take an insurgent tack on their challenges and make life difficult for those among us who think life in Nigeria is peaceful enough for them.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo called them a time bomb. For sure, it is ticking.

  • MUSON scholars receive training on copyright

    Using a variety of local and foreign case studies, legal experts have educated MUSON scholars on the fundamentals of intellectual property rights, discussing its benefits and possible consequences of its negligence.

    The first in the quarterly series themed “Copyright & Intellectual Property Protection”, the event held at the Agip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

    Speaking on the new initiative, Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, stated, “We have a long-term commitment to the development of young talent, as demonstrated through our interventions over the years.

    “Last year, we sponsored a masterclass with the renowned countertenor, Daniel Taylor and soprano impresario, Ellen McAteer for all students of the MUSON School of Music; our desire to see well-rounded music professionals who are skilful, and understand the business of music led us to introduce this workshop series for participants in the music scholarship programme. The workshops will help prepare the scholars for the real world.”

    Commenting on the intervention, Princess Banke Ademola, Director, School of Music, MUSON, appreciated the Foundation, reminded attendees at the inaugural workshop that, “What MTN Foundation is offering is critical learning often overlooked or unavailable to aspiring artistes. It’s difficult to find words to express my delight that beyond supporting the scholarship programme, MTN Foundation, is providing this opportunity.”

    The collaboration between MTN Foundation and MUSON dates back to 2006, with the initiation of a scholarship programme that has produced hundreds of graduates from the MUSON School of Music, who are currently achieving laudable feats in various spheres of arts and culture globally.

  • NFVCB takes training to Port Harcourt, Nnewi

    After opening its 2019 workshop series in Lagos, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has taken its roadshow to the South-South and South-East zones of the country, making stops in Port Harcourt and Nnewi last week.

    In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the programme, tagged ‘Media Literacy Capacity Building On Film Classification & Empowerment For Youth’ took place from January 15 to16, 2019 at the Algate Hotel, an exercise facilitated by Hon. Boma Goodhead in the Asari Toru/Akuku Toru Federal Constituency.

    Participants had a great time interacting with veteran actress and youth advocate, Hilda Dokubo, a daughter of the soil who helmed the talks on Film Classification.

    Dokubo spoke with the most familiar references, language, gags and slangs of Rivers people.

    “I’m going to make it as interactive as possible,” she began, as she threw a question that set the ball rolling. “When you buy a film, how many of you flip to the back jacket to see the Classification Symbol? She asked.

    None responded in the affirmative.

    “So, that’s a problem,” she declared.

    Enumerating some of the categories of classification, Dokubo explained that there was the need to adhere strictly to the rules.

    “If there is a breach of classification rule, there is a problem. The problem is however not for the filmmaker but for the person that allowed the breach, because classification plays the role of informing, plays the role of healing and places responsibility on everyone, including the producer and adults.”

    She advocated special class for movies that encourage good virtues in people as well as those that protect the gender.

    The actress who frowned at stereotype contents in Nollywood movies pointed out that as a way of changing the narrative, producers must desist from stories that portray the police as bribe collectors, soldier as civilian beaters, the girl-child doing the home chores while the boy-child plays football, as well as movies that portray career woman as endangering their home and marriage, while the full-time housewife is seen as the ideal women.

    In Nnewi, the industrial nerve of the South East geo- political zone, it was a gathering of notable stakeholders in the creative industry from Nnewi North/South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituencies.

    The event which held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, was an empowerment workshop for youths in the movie and entertainment industry from that area. They include actors, script writers, movie producers and directors, marketers, costumiers, editors and other crew members within the movie production chain.

    In his opening remarks, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas urged participants to avail themselves of this rear opportunity to carve a niche for themselves within the creative industry. He noted that the essence of the training was; to develop participants’ interest and understanding of classification; make participants ambassadors of film classification by letting their children know what to watch and watch not to watch; and assist in lobbying policy makers on important classification recommendations.

    In a bid to create a solid foundation for the participants, NFVCB’s Zonal Coordinator, South-East, Mr. Hubert Odeh presented a talk on the Rudiments of Classification, giving brief background history and workings of the Board.

    Responding on behalf of participants, Chief Ossy Affason of Ossy Affason Distribution Company encouraged filmmakers to always take advantage of such golden opportunities to develop themselves, while urging those within the creative industry to close ranks in order to build a virile and formidable industry.

    High point of the workshop was the distribution of grants to participants by the Executive Director of NFVCB.

  • Cooperative holds training

    A Cross River State-based cooperative society, Crystal Model MPCS Limited, is organising a one-day training for farmers.

    A statement by its Secretary, Mr Abel Udoh, said  the event is scheduled for tomorrow at Institute of Basic Studies, Akamkpa, Cross River State.

    The objective of the training, according to him, is to equip participants with information on how to access agric finance business.

    He said the society’s long-term goal is to ensure new farmers access high-quality information,  and proven tactics essential to starting and scaling viable farms.

    According to him, representatives of Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, Union Bank Plc and Sterling Bank will make presentations at the event.

     

  • Why we’re training Lagos Assembly workers, by Obasa

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa yesterday explained why the legislative arm organised a training for Assembly workers.

    He said the capacity-building workshop would sharpen their skills in financial and human resource management.

    The workshop, with the theme: Effective financial human resource and information management, was organised to improve performance and enhance productivity, Obasa said.

    Represented by the Assembly’s Public Affairs Director, Mrs. Bose Lambo, the Speaker said the training affirmed the commitment of the Assembly’s leadership to intellectual development of workers.

    According to him, it will also assist lawmakers in their legislative duties.

    Obasa urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to develop themselves.

    The organisers of the workshop, Hybitel, partnered African Parliamentary Resources Centre.

    Participants will take courses in contemporary leadership issues in legislature management; effective people management skills, overview of procurement process and enabling laws, guidelines, as well as policy in Lagos State, among others.

  • Expert challenges govt on heart surgery, training as WACS opens N1.2b secretariat

    How can Nigeria be among leading comity of nations in surgery, especially cardiot-horacic?

    It is by streamlining the training programme for cardiothoracic surgery, West African College of Surgeons (WACS) President, Prof King-David Terna Yawe, has said.

    Yawe stated this at the inauguration of the N1.2billion secretariat of the college in Yaba, Lagos.

    Yawe said the establishment of two or three well-resourced standardised international centres for Nigeria, or other West African countries, would boost surgery training.

    He said that way, Nigeria would be a  boost to the West Africa sub-region, and WACS would be more than ready to offer technical advice, and support for its actualisation.

    He called on the Armed Forces to also set up a Post-Graduate Medical Programme.

    “In this regard, we commend the numerous strides of President Muhammadu Buhari in improving the health sector. We congratulate the government for signing into law the Residency training Programme Bill and the generous allocation made in the 2018 Appropriation Bill to address health needs of the country,” Yawe said.

    Yawe, who estimated the cost of building the secretariat at N1.2 billion, explained that it is a symbol of unity of West Africans, adding: “It is another example of Anglophone-Francophone integration, cooperation and the pride of West African Surgeons who levied members and raised N1.2 billion for the permanent secretariat without bank loans or support from the public sector.”

    Yawe recalled: “It was the dream and desire of the founding fathers and successive generations of college leadership to build a befitting office for our operations. In 2010, the first step was taken to raise funds for this project under the leadership of Emeritus Professor O. O. Mbonu.

    “In 2012, land was purchased during the tenure of Professor O. K.  Ogedengbe and foundation was laid in 2014 by Professor Herve Koffi Yangni-Angate Jnr.

    Yawe said when he assumed office last year, he chose middle and high-level surgical manpower development and extension of safe surgical services to the grassroots a priority.

    “In partnership with the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative and Pro-Health International, we have been conducting outreaches in Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi States and in Kebbi State where tens of thousands were offered free surgical services.

    “We also carried out similar outreaches in Enugu and Abia states. Our Surgical Outreaches Committee has been performing credibly in many other nations and has been requested to assist Central African states in the same vein.

    “To ensure essential surgery is readily available, our Surgical, Anaesthesia and Obstetric Plan Committee is working to generate data and develop National Surgical plans for each nation in line with global trends as captured in World Health Assembly Agenda 68, SGDs and AU Agenda 2063.

    The college’s past president, Prof. Olajide Ajayi said: “It is another tutorial on unity in diversity, pragmatic decision-making processes, balanced judgments, strategic planning, personal sacrifices, courage and devotion to duty, institutional trusts and abiding faith in the divine guidance which permeated successive generations of our college leadership.”

    Dignitaries at the event include WACS Asstistant Secretary-General, Prof Philip Mshelbwala; Assistant Honorary Treasurer, Prof Grace Parkins; Honorary Treasurer, Prof Aderonke Baiyeroju; Vice-President, Prof Peter Donkor; President-elect, Prof Serigne Magueye Gueye; past president, Prof Olajide Ajayi; representative of Lagos State Governor, Dr Olufemi Onanuga; WACS president, Prof King David Terna Yawe; representative of President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Cecelia O. Daramola; WACS Chairman Board of Registered Trustees, Justice Olukayode Somolu, (rtd); WACS Secretary-General, Dr. J. Olutola Olatosi; WASC past president, Emeritus Prof Osato Giwa-Osagie; past president, Emeritus Prof. Mbonu; WACS past president, Prof Ogedengbe; past president, Prof Akinyinka Omigbodun and past President, Prof Herve Yangni-Angate.