Creativity, problem-solving, and technology are the forte of Ademola Adeyemi-King, founder of AHDEM Education. He believes a lot of Nigerian graduates are still struggling to find work even with degrees because of the country’s current education system. He speaks on how innovators can help fix this, especially in this era of creative economy, where digital technology is enhancing creativity, GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR writes.
How do you define ‘AI-powered jobs’ in the Nigerian context?
IN the Nigerian context, AI-powered jobs are not limited to coders or data scientists; they are everyday roles being redefined by artificial intelligence. From customer service agents using AI chatbots to marketers leveraging data tools for insights, AI is quietly becoming a co-worker across sectors. Young people should start preparing for hybrid roles that combine creativity, problem-solving, and technology, such as AI-assisted content creation, digital product design, customer experience automation, and data-informed business analysis. These roles don’t necessarily require a computer science degree; they demand curiosity, digital literacy, and the
ability to adapt technology to real-world challenges.
Many Nigerian graduates still struggle to find work even with degrees — how can innovators like you help fix it?
Our education system remains largely knowledge-based rather than skills-based. Many students graduate knowing what to think but not how to apply their knowledge in fast-changing digital environments. There’s a gap between theory and relevance. Innovators like us are bridging that gap by reimagining education through technology, mentorship, and applied learning. At AHDEM, we expose learners to real business scenarios, global collaborations, and AI tools that solve practical problems. By doing this, we help turn education into employability and ultimately into economic empowerment.
You’ve trained more than 20,000 young people — what are the most practical results or transformations you’ve seen so far? Any real-life stories that stand out?
We’ve seen shy teenagers become confident digital entrepreneurs and corporate employees evolve into AI champions within their firms. One story that stands out is that of a teenage girl from a rural town who joined our AI literacy programme. Within months, she began earning an income designing graphics using AI tools, enough to support her family. Another remarkable case was a mid-sized property company that reduced customer response times by 60 per cent after their staff completed our AI adoption training. These stories prove that digital transformation isn’t a buzzword; it’s a lived reality when people are given the right tools and mindset.
What is the biggest barrier preventing Nigerian youth from gaining AI or digital skills — cost, access, or mindset?
All three are factors, but mindset remains the most persistent barrier. Many young people still see AI as something far removed from their daily lives, a complex and elite field rather than a practical tool they can use. Cost and access are real issues, but they can be overcome through low-data platforms, mobile learning, and partnerships with local hubs. What truly unlocks progress is a shift in mindset, from being passive consumers of technology to becoming active creators. Once that mental barrier is broken, young Nigerians quickly prove how resourceful and innovative they can be.
What partnerships or policy changes do you think are needed for Nigeria to build an AI-ready workforce at scale?
We need a national strategy that integrates AI literacy into the education system from secondary schools upward. This should go hand in hand with public-private partnerships that connect academia, industry, and government. For instance, policies can encourage SMEs to invest in AI upskilling while partnerships with EdTech firms like ours can deliver affordable and localised training. Additionally, incentives for startups working in the AI and digital learning space would help accelerate innovation.
The goal is a coordinated ecosystem where policy, technology, and education work together to make AI a national advantage.
If you could speak directly to parents and educators, what would you tell them about preparing today’s children for tomorrow’s digital economy?
I would tell them that the jobs of tomorrow will reward creativity, adaptability, and digital fluency far more than rote memorisation. We must stop preparing children for the world we grew up in and start equipping them for the one they are inheriting. Encourage curiosity, allow them to experiment with technology, and don’t be afraid when they fail, because that’s how innovation begins. Let’s raise a generation of problem solvers who see technology not as a threat but as a tool for impact. If we do this right, Africa’s youth won’t just be employable; they’ll be unstoppable.
