Olalekan Olasupo, a fellow in the Advanced Data Analysis and Visualisation track of the Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, has transformed his career from a “frustrated private school teacher” and bank customer service officer into a skilled data analyst with expertise in Python, SQL, Power BI and automation.

Speaking at The Talent Shift Conference, Olasupo shared his journey as evidence that Nigeria’s technology talent pipeline is producing highly capable professionals equipped to compete in the global digital economy.

The conference, hosted by The People Practice and supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), Data Science Nigeria, Google Nigeria and the Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, brought together policymakers, employers, recruiters and technology experts to discuss how Nigeria can position itself as a leading source of global technology talent.

Olasupo’s experience highlighted the impact of structured technology training and demonstrated the growing need to bridge the gap between advanced digital skills and employer demand.

Nigeria’s opportunity in the global talent race

Toun Tunde-Anjous, founder of The People Practice, said Nigeria has the potential to establish itself as a leading technology talent hub and exporter of skilled professionals if it strategically harnesses its youthful population.

She noted that the global technology landscape is undergoing rapid transformation as emerging fields such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing and advanced machine learning reshape industries worldwide.

According to her, countries are increasingly competing for highly specialised talent capable of driving innovation in these areas, and programmes such as Deep Tech Ready is…