By Toluwanimi Adejumo
Vice President Kashim Shettima has waded into the heated national debate regarding the quality of the Nigerian workforce, following controversial remarks made by Moniepoint CEO, Tosin Eniolorunda. Speaking on Sunday, May 10, 2026, during the graduation ceremony of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, the Vice President offered a nuanced defense of Nigerian talent while acknowledging the systemic hurdles facing the nation’s digital economy.
The controversy began when Eniolorunda, whose fintech firm recently attained “unicorn” status, claimed at a Lagos event that Moniepoint has struggled to fill over 500 vacancies because most Nigerian applicants do not meet global standards. The CEO’s comments, which included a warning about the “general IQ” of the country potentially declining due to educational failures and social media consumption, sparked a firestorm of criticism from tech professionals and industry groups.
“The Talent is Not Absent”
Addressing the issue through a representative the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu Vice President Shettima suggested that the perceived “lack of talent” is more often a result of market dynamics than a lack of inherent capability.
“The talent is not absent; it is simply responding to rational market signals,” Shettima stated. “Some of the pushback that followed [the CEO’s remarks] was legitimate. Compensation structures, currency pressures, and the reality that Nigerian engineers now command global opportunities are all part of the equation.”
The Vice President’s remarks touched on the “brain drain” phenomenon, noting that top-tier Nigerian professionals are increasingly being snapped up by international firms offering remote work or relocation packages in stronger currencies. He argued that rather than a shortage of brains, Nigeria is facing a challenge of alignment and retention.
A Call for Synergy
While defending the potential of Nigerian youth, Shettima did not shy away from the need for reform. He urged for a “structured and sustained pipeline” between the ivory towers of academia and the high-speed demands of the fintech sector.
“This is not a task the government can accomplish alone, nor is it one the private sector can solve without universities,” he added. He called on higher education institutions to study the AUN model, which he praised for its focus on problem-solving and community development.
The Industry Backlash
The Vice President’s intervention comes as various industry bodies, including the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), questioned the transparency of Moniepoint’s hiring claims. Critics pointed out that while the CEO cited 500 vacancies, public job boards showed significantly fewer openings, leading to accusations that the narrative was being used to justify low wages or the hiring of foreign labor.
Software engineers on social media also pushed back, arguing that Nigerian tech companies often expect “world-class” expertise without offering the globally competitive salaries or internal training programs required to groom junior talent into senior roles.
Government Reform Agenda
Shettima emphasized that the President Bola Tinubu administration is currently pursuing reforms to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital-focused learning into the national policy framework. He highlighted the 3MTT (Three Million Technical Talents) program as a primary vehicle for bridging the gap Eniolorunda identified.
Closing his address, the Vice President challenged the 2026 graduates to resist the “easier route” of migration for survival, urging them instead to apply their skills to solving Nigeria’s unique structural problems. “The graduates this country desperately needs are those who bring their full capabilities to solve Nigerian problems,” he concluded.
The discourse remains a focal point for the Nigerian tech ecosystem, highlighting the tension between a private sector hungry for elite skills and a workforce navigating one of the most volatile economic periods in the country’s history.
