Tech, The new oil?

If you are reading this, it must mean that you acknowledge the title to be a rhetorical question. According to a report by IMF, the tech talent shortage will swell to more than 85 million tech workers by 2030, which in turn can potentially translate to lost revenue of over $8 trillion annually (Source: Korn Ferry). The United States does not produce enough IT graduates every year. Therefore, international students continue to be the country’s main resource for tech talent. Without new talent, business development and digital transformation are not possible, widening the gap between supply and demand for tech skills.

Nigeria has the largest population on the African continent, boasting a headcount of over 200 million people. Some 35% of its population or more is unemployed, and the working population that supports the country’s $450 billion economy are leaving in droves. In the past few years, interest in the Nigerian tech economy has increased and more investors are willing to pump money into startups that are based in the country and serve its population. In the same vein, global firms are looking at the country’s growing tech industry to fill their talent gaps.

My name is Al-Mukhtar Jamilat Ladidi and I'm three months into my transition from agriculture to web development. Crazy as it sounds, anyone can do tech, regardless of age, background or initial experience. Here are a few FAQ(frequently asked questions) to point you to the right start.

  1. How do I start ?

    One of the sure-fire ways to transition to tech is to learn the skill(s) required to function in specific areas of interest. A great way to achieve this is by taking online courses, registering for and joining boot camps and writing certification exams.

  2. How long would it take ?

    Ideally, it should take about 12 months to gain the necessary certification needed for employment. Bear in mind that there are non-coding skills that could be achieved in less time.

  3. What do I need ?

    To aid a conducive working and learning experience, you'll need a laptop, a smartphone, electricity, stable internet and most importantly grit. Your grit is in your ability to keep going even on days when you lack motivation.

  4. Do all tech skills require coding knowledge ?

    No, the tech space is very wide. It encompasses careers ranging from technical writing, design, data analytics, research, digital marketing and a whole lot more. It is essential to make all the necessary research before delving into anyone.

  5. How much time would this cost ?

    Depending on how badly you want this, it should take you a couple of hours of dedication daily to reach your target. Tech isn't a get rich quick scheme, hence, the effort you put in would be equally proportional to your result at the end.

  6. What are some tech careers to choose from ?

    Web development: Web development has different range; Front-end development, Back-end development and the full stack web development that combines knowledge of the frontend and backend.

Front-end web development: This deals with the interface of a web page. They are basically responsible for how the website looks on the outside.

Back-end web development: This on the other hand deals with all the functionality of the website.

Product design: User interface(UI), User experience(UX); UX design focuses on the total user experience with a digital product. UI design focuses on the visual experience of a digital product, such as fonts, colors, and animations.

Cybersecurity: If you are fascinated by the idea of protecting internet-connected devices and services from malicious attacks by hackers, spammers, and cybercriminals, then this is for you.

Cloud computing: Cloud computing as defined by Microsoft is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.

Blockchain development

Machine learning

AI engineering

Product management. e.t.c

This is your sign to do that research.

GOODLUCK!!!