A Workforce Without Work: Rethinking Talent in a Failing Economy

From clean energy to cloud computing, 3D fabrication to media production — the global economy is starved for skilled hands, not just educated minds. A World Economic Forum report projects that 85 million jobs may go unfilled by 2030 due to a lack of skilled talent, even as millions remain unemployed. This mismatch is not theoretical — it’s economic and existential.

In Nigeria, the consequences are dire. Youth unemployment sits above 50%, not because our young people aren’t smart, but because our systems don’t equip them for today’s demands. Even vocational institutions struggle with outdated curricula, poor funding, and societal disregard. Yet paradoxically, African talents are powering some of the world’s leading companies remotely or via migration — proving the potential has never been the problem.

At the Seyi Albert Foundation (SAF), we believe the future belongs to those who can do. That’s why we’re building a talent engine — starting with green energy — that trains people to install, repair, innovate, and build. We’re not here to replace universities or polytechnics — but to ensure that whatever your background, you can acquire real-world skills that drive real-world change.

Because in the 21st century, it’s not the certificate you hold that matters — it’s the contribution you make.