Jobberman Nigeria has projected that Nigeria’s remote workforce could grow to almost 50 per cent over the next decade, driven by the country’s youthful population and rising global demand for skilled talent, a shift that could reshape employment opportunities for young people and small businesses alike.
The projection was highlighted at Jobberman Nigeria’s Remote Work Festival in Lagos, where stakeholders examined how Nigerian youths can compete effectively for borderless job opportunities. The organisation stressed that remote work is emerging as a critical pathway for job creation and income generation in an economy where traditional employment remains under pressure.
According to Jobberman, Nigeria’s demographic structure gives it a strong advantage in the global labour market, with more than 70 per cent of the population projected to be young by 2050. This reality, it noted, is likely to push international employers to increasingly source talent from Nigeria to support business growth and economic activities across different regions.
However, the organisation cautioned that remote work is often misunderstood. It explained that contrary to popular belief, remote roles are not easier or more relaxed than office-based jobs. Instead, they demand higher levels of accountability, discipline, and performance, with employers placing strong emphasis on communication, self-management, and reliability.
Jobberman warned that poor work habits, weak communication, and lack of integrity could quickly undermine opportunities for Nigerian youths in a competitive global market. It stressed that trust has become a form of currency in remote work, with employers expecting transparency, proof of skills, and consistent delivery, especially when teams operate across borders and time zones.
The organisation also pointed to improving infrastructure as a key enabler of Nigeria’s remote work potential, noting that ongoing investments in digital and communication facilities are expected to make remote employment more viable. Combined with the resilience and adaptability of Nigerian youths, this creates opportunities not only for individuals but also for small businesses that can tap into global value chains through remote services.
To prepare young people for these opportunities, Jobberman said it has expanded its work-readiness initiatives, including specialised training programmes designed to equip participants with both technical and soft skills required for remote roles. These efforts, it noted, aim to help youths become attractive to employers within Nigeria and internationally.
Through partnerships focused on positioning African talent globally, Jobberman said it is working to stimulate demand for Nigerian professionals across Europe, America and Asia. The organisation emphasised that talent is one of Nigeria’s most valuable exports, with the potential to drive income, foreign earnings and economic resilience if properly harnessed.
Other contributors at the event echoed the need for a balance between technical competence and strong interpersonal skills, stressing that global employers expect professionals who can integrate seamlessly into diverse teams and deliver value without friction.
Participants described the festival as eye-opening, noting that the discussions boosted confidence and underscored the importance of visibility, communication, and self-belief in accessing remote work opportunities. For many young Nigerians, the conversations reinforced the message that remote work is not just an alternative to local jobs but a growing engine for employment, skills development, and long-term economic inclusion.
