Concerns about the future of young workers have arisen due to a 29 per cent global decline in entry-level job openings. Experts warn that automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and shifting business models are narrowing traditional career entry points.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently reported that entry-level roles are shrinking across major economies, highlighting a growing gap between education and employability. In Nigeria, where youth unemployment remains high, human resource experts say the impact could be deeper unless urgent measures are taken.
Human Resource practitioner and Chief Executive Officer of ODC Global Consultants, Ogbu Chijioke, described the trend as “a structural wake-up call” for Nigeria’s labour market.
“This is not just a shortage of jobs but a shortage of platforms that can transform youthful potential into productive purpose,” he said, stating that employers must now begin to see themselves not as talent consumers but as talent developers.
Ogbu said Nigerian organisations must shift focus from routine hiring to skill-based development, emphasising leadership, creativity, and adaptability as the new markers of employability. He called for stronger collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions to close the gap between classroom training and real workplace needs.
“The workplace of tomorrow will reward those who can think critically, learn fast, and lead with empathy. AI will not replace people, but people who use AI will replace those who don’t.”
However, for many Nigerian youths, the struggle is already personal and seen as a strong signal that the world of work is changing faster than ever. According to them, this reality calls for a shift in mindset from simply looking for jobs to creating opportunities.
Creative professional Anselem Ibangwu said that while global trends show declining entry-level roles, the Nigerian situation is worsened by employers’ reluctance to train new staff.
“Many employers want people who can start working right away, so they spend less on training,” he said. “At the same time, graduates often lack the practical or digital skills companies really need.”
Ibangu emphasised that graduate training programmes could help solve this, but they are becoming fewer and more competitive. He stressed that a big gap lies between what is learned in school and what the job market expects, and until that gap closes, entry-level opportunities will keep shrinking.
Although most Nigerian youths acknowledge the shift as real and challenging, Sales Executive at Coronation Asset Management, Helen Mba-Madubuike, said the shortage of early-career roles has pushed youths to become more entrepreneurial. While noting the entrepreneurial challenges many face, she said it has forced Gen Z to be more innovative and self-reliant.
“Jobs are not readily available anymore, so many of us have had to adapt by learning new skills or creating small opportunities for ourselves,” she said.
Experts say that to bridge the widening gap, Nigerian employers must invest in structured mentorship, apprenticeships, and re-skilling programmes that align with global labour market shifts. Ogbu added that leadership reorientation remains key to sustaining growth.
“We must move from mere employment to empowerment. Nigeria’s next growth curve will not come from oil or exports but from unleashing the leadership potential of its young people,” he said. The expert further noted that the decline in entry-level jobs should not be viewed only as an economic crisis but as an opportunity to rebuild talent ecosystems that reward creativity, ethics, and purpose-driven work.
“The future will belong to nations and organisations that value people as capital, not cost,” he said. “When leadership becomes the culture of the workforce, employment becomes the by-product of vision.”
