Companies operating in Nigeria and across Africa have been advised to adopt adaptive workforce models that prioritise skills development, inclusion, and employee wellbeing as central components of organisational strategy, rather than treating them as support functions.

This call comes amid growing concerns over youth unemployment and gaps in leadership development pipelines across the country.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects regional GDP growth of around 4.0 per cent in 2025, with a modest pickup in 2026, supported by reforms in key economies, infrastructure investment, and stabilisation efforts. Yet, structural constraints – including debt pressures, uneven commodity prospects, and global trade headwinds – continue to weigh on competitiveness.

Speaking on the issue, the Talent Leader for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric, Yewande Ayowole-Oso, noted that the challenge facing Nigeria’s labour market is both structural and economic.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), persistent skills mismatches continue to affect the workforce, with many graduates possessing theoretical knowledge but lacking practical, industry-relevant competencies.

She noted that this gap places increasing responsibility on employers to invest in workforce development.

“At Schneider Electric, the balance between business agility and human focus forms the cornerstone of how the company operates. The organisation continues to evolve in response to market realities, ensuring that its people strategy remains tightly aligned with business transformation.”

She further stressed that Human-centred leadership in practice goes beyond empathy, adding that it’s a strategic discipline that integrates emotional intelligence, inclusive decision-making, and transparent communication into the core of business operations.

“In times of change, this leadership style ensures that employees are not passive recipients of decisions but active participants in shaping the future. It requires leaders to foster psychological safety, listen deeply, and respond with clarity and care,” she stated.