Emmanuel Eze, Country Director of HP Nigeria, in this interview with ADAKU ONYENUCHEYA, speaks on the need for Nigeria to strengthen the link between education, industry and employment to unlock sustainable economic growth. He also discusses the company’s Gaming Garage initiative, designed to complement classroom learning by exposing students to emerging technologies and practical applications that equip them with skills relevant to the digital economy and prepare them for a rapidly evolving labour market.

You argue that Nigeria’s challenge is less about talent and more about creating pathways that translate talent into commercially relevant skills. Looking at countries that have made significant progress in preparing young people for the future of work, what lessons do you believe Nigeria can realistically adapt to its own context?
At HP, we believe Nigeria’s greatest competitive advantage is its people. 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.

Around the world, the countries making the greatest progress are those that have built strong partnerships between government, academia and the private sector. They focus on practical learning, industry recognised skills and continuous upskilling throughout a person’s career.

Nigeria already has the talent and entrepreneurial spirit. By creating more opportunities for collaboration and expanding access to digital skills, I believe the country can position itself as one of Africa’s leading sources of innovation and digital talent.

You make the case for a closer relationship between academia and industry. As the nature of work continues to evolve, how should universities rethink the way they prepare students for a labour market where the skills in demand are constantly changing?
Universities remain the foundation of talent development, but the pace of technological change means learning cannot stop at theory. I believe students benefit most when academic knowledge is complemented by practical experience and exposure to industry. That is why we collaborate with educational institutions through initiatives such as Gaming Garage, which gives learners access to emerging technologies and real-world applications that complement what they are already learning. The future workforce will need to adapt continuously. Universities can help build that mindset by encouraging problem solving, collaboration, creativity and lifelong learning alongside technical knowledge.

Your piece presents gaming as much more than entertainment. From HP’s perspective, why is gaming a powerful catalyst for developing the kinds of skills that will define the future workforce?
I see gaming as much more than entertainment. It is one of the most engaging ways to develop skills that are increasingly valuable across today’s economy.

Building a game requires coding, design, storytelling, collaboration, project management and creative thinking. It also encourages experimentation and resilience because innovation often comes through testing, learning and improving.

That is why we have invested in Gaming Garage. It uses gaming as a practical way to help young people develop capabilities that extend well beyond the gaming industry and prepare them for opportunities across technology, media, engineering and the wider digital economy.

You argue that the workforce of the future will demand more than technical proficiency. As AI takes on more routine tasks, what capabilities do you believe will increasingly define professional success?
Artificial intelligence will change the way we work, but it will not replace the qualities that make people innovative.

Technical skills will always matter, but the real differentiators will be creativity, critical thinking, adaptability and emotional intelligence. These are the capabilities that enable people to solve complex problems, collaborate effectively and make informed decisions in a rapidly changing environment.

At HP, we see AI as a tool that enhances human potential, not one that replaces it. The organisations that succeed will be those that invest in both technology and people.

The launch of HP’s Gaming Garage demonstrates one model for industry academia collaboration. What would it take to replicate and scale similar partnerships across more institutions in Nigeria?
No single organisation can prepare the workforce of the future on its own. It requires a shared commitment from government, academia and the private sector.

From HP’s perspective, successful partnerships are built around a common goal of preparing students for the realities of today’s economy. That means combining access to technology with relevant learning opportunities, industry expertise and recognised credentials.

When organisations work together, we can create programmes that are scalable, sustainable and capable of reaching far more young people across the country.

From HP’s perspective, what outcomes matter most when evaluating the long term impact of programmes like Gaming Garage?
For us, success goes far beyond participation numbers. The real measure of impact is whether people leave with skills that improve their opportunities. That could mean securing employment, pursuing further education, starting a business or contributing to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
We also look at the broader impact on the ecosystem. Are we strengthening partnerships with educational institutions? Are we expanding access to digital learning? Are we helping build a workforce that is better prepared for the future? Those are the outcomes that matter most to HP.

You argue that technology and creativity are increasingly part of the same growth engine. How do you see that changing the way businesses identify, develop and invest in talent over the next decade?
I believe businesses will increasingly hire for potential rather than simply qualifications. The most valuable employees will be those who are curious, adaptable and comfortable working across disciplines. Technical expertise remains important, but so do creativity, communication and the ability to solve problems collaboratively.

Many education systems have traditionally been designed to prepare students for employment. In today’s economy, what changes are needed to cultivate not only job seekers, but also innovators, entrepreneurs and problem solvers?
Education should encourage students to create opportunities, not simply prepare for them. That means giving learners more opportunities to build, experiment and solve real world challenges. It also means creating environments where creativity is encouraged and where failure is seen as part of the learning process.

Technology should empower people to turn ideas into solutions. When education develops confidence alongside technical skills, it produces graduates who are equipped to drive innovation, create businesses and contribute to economic growth.

Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest youth populations alongside a fast growing technology and creative ecosystem. As global competition for digital talent intensifies, where do you see Nigeria’s greatest opportunity to build a distinctive competitive advantage over the next decade?
Nigeria has a unique combination of youthful energy, entrepreneurial ambition and creative talent. Those strengths already distinguish the country across Africa.

The opportunity now is to build on that foundation by investing in digital skills, expanding access to technology and creating stronger pathways into high value careers.

From HP’s perspective, Nigeria’s competitive advantage will not come from competing on cost. It will come from producing innovators, creators and technology professionals who can develop solutions for both local and global markets.

Today, Nollywood has made their mark at the global stage, showing the great potentials of our people. I see a future where the entire Nollywood industry storytelling and movie production will be largely shaped by these innovators, creators, and technology professionals. I see them contributing significantly to driving business in this unique sector with their contents and expertise. The gaming community is another giant waiting to be awakened in Nigeria and this gaming garage launch offers another unique opportunity for Nigerians to make her mark in the global platform with gaming.

Much of the conversation around digital transformation focuses on technology and its adoption. Looking ahead, what emerging workforce trends or talent challenges do you believe business leaders should be paying closer attention to?
Technology will continue to advance rapidly, but the biggest challenge will be ensuring people keep pace with that change.

Business leaders should think beyond adopting new technologies and focus equally on helping employees develop the skills to use them effectively. Continuous learning will become a business imperative rather than an employee benefit.

I also believe digital inclusion deserves greater attention. The future of work should not be limited to those who already have access. Expanding opportunities for more people will ultimately strengthen businesses, communities and the wider economy.

Looking ahead five years, what milestones would convince you that Nigeria is making meaningful progress towards building a workforce that is globally competitive and future ready?
I would like to see stronger collaboration between government, universities, and industry, with clear national strategies that create the conditions for innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Government plays a critical role in creating the right environment through enabling policies, digital infrastructure, investment, and support for research and innovation. With these foundations in place, academia and industry can work together to develop relevant skills, strengthen research partnerships, and create pathways into employment.

I would also like to see universities and training institutions expanding flexible, industry-aligned credentialing opportunities that enable lifelong learners to continuously upskill and reskill throughout their careers. As technology evolves rapidly, accessible micro-credentials and professional certifications will become increasingly important in helping people remain competitive in the workforce.

Beyond workforce development, I would like to see thriving incubation and acceleration programs that help entrepreneurs turn ideas into successful businesses, wider access to digital skills training, and more young Nigerians moving into high-value careers across technology, AI, and the creative industries.

Another important milestone would be seeing more Nigerian startups scaling globally, more innovation emerging from local talent, and greater recognition of Nigeria as a destination for technology investment and digital innovation.

At HP, we are committed to playing our part in that journey. If our partnerships, programs, and investments help create more opportunities for young people, strengthen the innovation ecosystem, and contribute to Nigeria’s digital economy, then we will know we are making a meaningful contribution.