# Digitalization and skill shifts in Nigeria > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/digitalization-and-skill-shifts-in-nigeria > Updated: 2026-10-13T23:50:22.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 7. In Nigeria, there is a growing emphasis on digital skills, entrepreneurship, and technical trades as viable alternatives to traditional formal employment. Youth are increasingly seeking marketable skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, web design, and data analytics to participate in the global freelance market. Additionally, practical trades like solar and CNG installation are emerging as stable career paths. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly prioritizing digitization and staff training to manage rising operational costs and drive growth. According to the June 2026 Mastercard SME Confidence Index, 56 per cent of Nigerian SMEs reported higher revenue over the previous year. Within this group, 79 per cent identified staff training and 78 per cent identified business digitization as major growth priorities. This digital shift is reflected in the massive expansion of digital connectivity and payments. Data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) shows that Point-of-Sale (PoS) transaction values reached N18.78 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, a 79.03 per cent increase from the same period in 2025. However, SMEs face significant hurdles with cross-border payments, where the complexity of international settlements and difficulties tracking funds through intermediary banks can lead to supplier disputes and foreign exchange delays. To sustain growth, financial professionals are calling for increased commitment to ethical conduct, sustainable business practices, and professional integrity. At the 30th Anniversary Symposium of the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, experts emphasized the need for accelerated regulatory reforms and digital innovation. Discussions also highlighted the necessity of widening access to long-term funding to help SMEs formalize operations and strengthen corporate governance to become investment-ready. Recent calls from business leaders have further emphasized the need for increased private-sector funding, improved mentorship, and better market access to support young entrepreneurs. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-13: Nigeria stakeholders call for more private-sector funding for entrepreneurs Stakeholders in Nigeria are calling for increased private-sector funding, mentorship, and improved market access to help young entrepreneurs overcome financial and operational barriers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-stakeholders-call-for-more-private-sector-funding-for-entrepreneurs ### 2026-10-08: Nigeria's economy increasingly driven by digital networks and payments Nigeria's economy is increasingly reliant on digital networks, with PoS transactions rising significantly, though SMEs still face challenges with opaque cross-border payment settlements. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerias-economy-increasingly-driven-by-digital-networks-and-payments ### 2026-10-07: Nigeria financial experts call for ethical reforms and SME funding Nigerian financial experts are advocating for enhanced ethical standards, regulatory reforms, and improved access to long-term capital for SMEs to ensure sustainable market growth and resilience. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-financial-experts-call-for-ethical-reforms-and-sme-funding ### 2026-10-02: Nigeria experts call for stronger credit systems and SME structural readiness Experts urge Nigeria to strengthen credit infrastructure and SME business structures to support digital lending and sustainable growth for small businesses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-experts-call-for-stronger-credit-systems-and-sme-structural-readiness ### 2026-09-24: Nigerian SMEs prioritize digitization and digital payments for growth Nigerian SMEs are prioritizing digitization and digital payments, with 78% identifying digital transformation as a key growth driver amid a massive increase in local internet and social media users. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerian-smes-prioritize-digitization-and-digital-payments-for-growth ### 2026-09-18: Nigerian SMEs prioritize digitization and training for growth Nigerian SMEs are prioritizing business digitization and staff training to combat rising costs, with studies showing e-commerce and targeted digital marketing significantly improve performance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerian-smes-prioritize-digitization-and-training-for-growth ### 2026-09-15: Nigeria: Digital skills and trades emerge as vital employment paths Nigerian youth are shifting toward digital skills and skilled trades to combat limited white-collar employment, leveraging high global demand for AI, web development, and data analytics. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-digital-skills-and-trades-emerge-as-vital-employment-paths --- Cite as: Digitalization and skill shifts in Nigeria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/digitalization-and-skill-shifts-in-nigeria