Artificial Intelligence (AI) has disrupted the labor market so much that relevant skills that are very important to the global economy are obsolete or going into obsolescence due to the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Skills for Nigerian citizens and students alike are not an optional option anymore; despite Nigerian students studying at university and obtaining many, they still engage in learning one skill or more in order to have a better chance of livelihood.
Some of the skills learned by Nigerians in the past, which have generated them a reasonable source of revenue, can’t be learned because of the low global demand or because the employer found a tool or AI that does this work better.
While AI has disrupted the economy and has made some skills obsolete, there are some skills that can be learned that are in demand currently and even for the future’s sake.
There are lot of skills that can be learned for future sake but there are some best skills to learn for future amongst these skills in order to achieve financial independency and a better livelihood
The misconception about many is that only tech skills can fetch a good and reasonable source of income in the gig market and even in Nigeria. Below are different kinds of skills.
● Tech Skills: Tech skills, also referred to as technology skills, are the skills that are acquired and can be used to build or manage an existing technology.
● Digital Economy Skill: Digital economy skills are skills that can be used to operate and thrive in digital marketplaces like e-commerce.
● Business and Financial Skills: Business and financial skills are skills to manage and operate and can be used to start up a business.
● Language Skills: Language skills enable you to communicate in various languages across the world.
● Soft Skills: Soft skills are skills that helped you to develop your personal and interpersonal ability and thus have an impact on your leadership skills or any other sphere of your life.
All the skills mentioned above are relevant and in global demand today and also in years to come.
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best skills to learn for the future
The best skills to learn For the Future will be categorized under type of skills, with the number of skills under that sector mentioned in numbers.
1. Technology Skills
a. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
While artificial intelligence and machine learning are not the same set of skills, they are in sequence.
Machine learning is a branch that stems from artificial intelligence, and that is why both are usually classified together.
What are artificial intelligence and machine learning as skills? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of science that uses technology to build machines that can perform human activities without direct intervention; sometimes they can mimic cognitive function, while machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that allows a machine to learn and improve over time.
With the burst in AI, studying or taking either artificial intelligence or machine learning as a skill is an assured skill that will serve and provide you with a stable source of income for the future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are the most in-demand skills that can turn you into a millionaire or billionaire within a couple of years.
Artificial intelligence is a general term used in the AI field; sub-skills under it include computer vision engineer, AI product manager, robotics engineer, AI software developer, and a lot more.
b. Cybersecurity
One skill that the emergence of AI has failed to beat is cybersecurity, and that is because the more the computer network, the more the demand for the skill of a cybersecurity analyst or expert.
What is cybersecurity? Cybersecurity is a form of ethical practice that protects computers, programs, and data from digital attacks, which can be bots that are coordinated by humans or unauthorized access to a company system.
Cybersecurity is a skill that has been gaining ground, and with the advent of more computer applications and software, the demand is at an all-time high now and in the future.
c. Data Science and Data Analytics
Data science and data analytics are both related, even though they are distinct, but having an insight about data science gives you more leverage than data analytics.
Data science is a skill that allows you to use data to build models that can predict future outcomes, such as elections or an investment outcome, while data analytics is using the data to make informed decisions.
Data in recent years has become so important to companies and governments to make decisions. Data has become so important to AI development that without it the AI won’t be able to function independently.
Knowing how to sort and input data accordingly is one of the skills that a data scientist has, and this is currently demanded globally and will be in much demand in the future as the world of computers grows in proportion to data spread on the internet.
d. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computing resources such as storage and infrastructure over the internet rather than in a physical geographic location.
Cloud computing is an advanced way of storing information in the 21st century that does not require you to have a fixed location for your data; all you need is internet, and you can access your data anywhere across the world.
Cloud computing is an emerging technology, and it is projected to grow to over 80% in the ten years to come. Acquiring cloud computing as a skill is a guarantee for you and for future sake.
Cloud computing is a general term used for the skill under it. Various sub-skills under cloud computing include cloud platform, virtualization, DevOps tools, serverless computing, and much more.
e. Blockchain Technology
Ever heard of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency? The technology that powers this digital finance is none other than blockchain technology.
Blockchain technology is not limited to cryptocurrency but can also find its relevance in every sector, which includes the health sector and other sectors.
What is blockchain technology? Blockchain technology is a distributed ledger technology that is shared across a multiple network of computers to keep a digital record of transactions.
Blockchain technology, in essence, makes it possible for a network not to be controlled by a single entity or individual but rather across multiple computers, which makes it safer in case of attack or blackout.
An emerging technology is what blockchain technology is all about; even with the current use, it has not reached its maximum use across different fields and sectors.
Blockchain technology is a general term for all skills under it; individuals can narrow to sub-skills under it like cryptography, smart contracts, blockchain architecture, security and auditing, and much more.
2. Digital Economy Skills
a. Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is the use of websites, apps, mobile devices, technological devices, social media, and SEO to promote and sell products and services.
Today businesses have moved from local advertising to global advertising using digital marketing as a result of globalization.
Billions of dollars are spent on digital advertisement yearly; acquiring a skill in digital marketing is a gold mine considering the need for digital marketing to grow more in the future even while it is thriving currently.
b. Content Creation
Content creation skills involve creating content in the form of an article or in video form for mass consumption.
Content creation can’t be a skill that should not be considered again; it has become the number one thriving online skill among Nigerian youths.
Millions of videos are circulated across multiple social media, which include YouTube, TikTok, and the social media giant Facebook, and these videos have been a source of income for most Nigerian youths engaged in this.
It is a reality that content creation will continue to grow more in the future due to the expansion of phone users and quick access to the internet.
Content creation is one skill that does not require you to sign up; what you need is your content, your data, and your phone to go live.
c. SEO, Blogging, and Copywriting
SEO, blogging, and copywriting are a set of interrelated skills that can be learned together or independently.
SEO means optimizing a web page for a search engine for visibility, while blogging is the act of writing and publishing content on a particular website to share information, while copywriting is writing a persuasive article in order to sell a product or services.
SEO, blogging, and copywriting as skills are in-demand skills for business owners, and an individual can decide to start up blogging without needing the help of an organization to set it up.
With the advent of AI, more focus should be on SEO and copywriting in order to stay relevant in the field for long.
3. Business and Financial Skills
a. Sales and Negotiation
Sales and negotiation is a skill that can be acquired; in fact, having it as a skill can set you up for life, especially if you are selling high-value properties and products like houses or cars.
Sales and negotiation is a strategic dialogue between a seller and buyer aiming to reach mutual agreement in order to buy or sell a product.
Being a salesperson who sells goods for others can set you up for life if you know how to sell your product to your audience.
Sale and negotiation can be acquired as a skill, and it is in demand now and in the future, as buying and selling still continue among various human settlements.
b. Project Management
Project management is a method and process of planning and organizing a company’s resources to fulfill the company’s target objective within a specified time frame.
Expertise in project management is called project manager, and project management is not one skill you can acquire without taking your time to study and know the skill.
Project managers earn a lucrative salary and enjoy the demands that come with the role. The demand for project managers is high as many companies look to launch and compete with each other in terms of product and service yearly.
c. Financial literacy and investment
Financial literacy and investment is a skill that can be learned, and it is essential that an individual can learn for themself and also monetize it.
Financial literacy is the ability to manage your finances and investments wisely in a way that will yield positive returns.
Even now and in the future, it is a crucial skill that is needed; individuals realize now that the more they earn, the more they should save because of the uncertain economic situation.
Having financial literacy and investment skills be monetized by being a finance analyst or a finance manager for a corporation or individual.
4.Soft Skills
a. Communication
Your level of communication can make or mar you if you don’t understand how to communicate at the highest level.
Many wonder if communication is a skill; it is a sad reality that everyone should agree that communication is a skill and can be learned.
Proper communication can elevate you to the highest position, and you can monetize your skill by teaching people how to communicate well, and besides, no AI is coming for your skill now or in the future.
b. Leadership and Team Management
Leadership and team management personality and skill are rewarded in every organization or institution, and many still think this should not be learned.
Leadership and team management skills can be learned and can help you start a career or even improve your career in the future.
Good leadership and management skills will get you rooted in every organization you are in; even in the midst of a layoff, the organization will see you as someone valuable as long as you stay.
Leadership and management skills can be monetized thanks to social media, where you can set up online classes to teach people about the skill, and you can even host a physical class.
Leadership and management skills are still in demand in Nigeria and globally, as the effect of poor leadership and management skills is seen throughout the country. If the leaders are taught by someone who knows it, the society will change.
And for leadership and management skills, no AI is coming for your jobs today or in years to come, and you can enjoy the leverage of demand in the future.
5.Language Skills
● Learning a foreign language
Committing to learning a foreign language is a skill that is high in demand in Nigeria and even globally.
With the advent of AI, which can translate multiple languages, having a human communicate a language is still a luxury to many, and they will pay huge sums for that service.
Translators and teachers of foreign languages are still in high demand in Nigeria and across the globe.
How to Learn These Skills
Knowing the skills is one thing, and learning them is another. The internet and the growing teaching skill platform have grown in years. Below are some places to learn these skills:
Online Platform
Online platforms have made it accessible to learn any course at any time at your convenience.
Major online learning platforms include YouTube, Coursera, Udemy, and other platforms.
YouTube, unlike the others, is a free online platform you can leverage to learn if you don’t have the financial capacity to buy the courses from Udemy or Coursera.
Nigeria Online Learning Platform
Learning through the Nigeria online platform is one of the best ways to learn skills easily online, as they can help you understand the course better due to the fact that they are focused directly on the Nigerian audience.
Major Nigerian online learning platforms include Altschool, Utiva, and Tech4Dev.
Free and paid tutor
You can hire a tutor to teach you a particular skill you are interested in; some tutors might even offer to teach you for free.
Tutors are one of the best ways of learning skills, as they have more experience with those skills and can help you navigate the problem you came across while working with the skill or learning the skill.
Conclusion
Skills are not optional anymore for any average Nigerian who does not have a suitable or better-paying job; they are a necessity and an essential thing to learn to have a better chance of livelihood.
While we highlighted the skills that can be learned that are in demand online, it is best recommended you choose the skill that aligns with your passion and interest.
Choosing the skill that aligns with your passion and interest in the long run will eventually pay off because you won’t wear out during the learning phase or when you encounter problems using your skill or monetizing it.
