Young Nigerians risk being left behind in the future of work unless they urgently embrace Artificial Intelligence and other emerging tools, experts at TEDxMowe have warned, stressing that AI competence and adaptable mindsets are now essential for career survival and growth.
“AI is here to stay,” graphic designer and AI visual storyteller Faleti Caleb said, adding, “It will not replace designers, but designers who do not adopt AI will be replaced by those who do.”
Held at Manifold House in Redemption City, Ogun State, the conference, themed “Re-Engineering Impossibilities: The Future We Build,” drew hundreds of young participants seeking clarity on navigating an uncertain job market.
The workshop session, ‘How to Re-engineer Your Career in a Fast Changing World: Future of Work Insights, Career and Transition Paths,’ focused on the skills needed to thrive in a digital future.
Caleb noted that AI competence is increasingly in demand from employers, citing the growing relevance of platforms such as ChatGPT and Gemini.
Other speakers reechoed the message, urging young Nigerians to rethink their career pathways and prioritise digital capability, adaptability and strategic upskilling as the world of work continues to evolve.
Media entrepreneur and keynote speaker, Chude Jideonwo, said meaningful career growth in Africa would depend on competence, embrace of small but scalable ventures, and a rejection of Silicon Valley-style success narratives.
He argued that African economies must stop glorifying billion-dollar unicorns and instead strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises that provide real opportunities.
“A private company valued at one billion dollars is not the same as a company improving the lives of people worth a billion dollars,” he said.
Jideonwo maintained that Africa’s job challenges stem partly from chasing high-valuation tech ventures that fail to reflect local labour realities, while SMEs — the continent’s largest employers — remain overlooked.
On personal development and resilience, Executive Director of Blossom Girls Outreach Foundation, Doreen Omosele, encouraged participants, especially those recovering from trauma or abuse, to rebuild their careers by first reshaping their mindsets. She said healing, confidence and purposeful thinking are essential to navigating transitions in today’s competitive workplace.
Licensed organiser of TEDxMowe, Oluwagbenga Adebayo, said the initiative was to give young people a platform to express their potential and engage with transformative ideas.
“You might not have all the resources, but the resource you already have is yourself,” he said, stating, “If you believe you can make something work, take that step.”
Participants described the sessions as eye-opening, particularly on practical ways to increase productivity through technology. Digital generalist, Elutidoye John Oluwafemi, said the event broadened his understanding of how to integrate AI into everyday tasks.
