While the Naija tech industry dey argue about who cause the talent gap, Iyin Aboyeji dey busy dey build 740 engineers from scratch, and e even dey pay dem to learn.
The Main Wahala in Naija Tech
When Moniepoint CEO, Tosin Eniolorunda, complain say dem get 500 empty positions wey dem no fit fill because Naija candidates no reach global standard, e cause serious argument. But for Iyin Aboyeji (wey co-found Andela and Flutterwave), dat one na just a symptom of a bigger sickness. E point out say many youths ready to work, but dem lack three major things: skill, infrastructure, and working tools like laptop. Naija just never build the pipeline to enable young people enter work.
HR professionals confirm am say the absolute best talents don already secure remote jobs with foreign companies. One HR, Emmanuel Olawumi, share how e find one 25-year-old from Agege wey dey earn ₦3.5 million monthly working remotely for an Egyptian company. Because the best don japa digitally, local companies are left to manage the second best. Another HR issue be say some candidates get experience but lack soft skills, or get soft skills but lack experience.
How Learn2Earn Take Dey Fix Am
To solve dis pipeline problem, Aboyeji co-found Learn2Earn, a zero-tuition tech training program wey launch for February 2026. Inside dis program, you no need pay school fees; instead, dem dey pay you stipend to learn and build projects.
No CV, Just Play Game: Dem no dey collect CV to admit students. To enter, you go verify your NIN and play two games (memory and problem-solving tests). Prince Adekunle, the Head of Training, explain say dis one na to test raw brain power (cognitive ability) since dem dey target people with zero tech knowledge. Out of 44,000 people wey play the game, na 740 fellows dem pick.
The Training Process: If you pass the game, you go enter a 26-day intensive trial bootcamp. After dat, you enter a two-year fellowship. Year one na peer-led learning (learning from your mates), while year two na internship. For year three and four, dem go place you with partner companies.
Why Peer Learning?: Aboyeji adopted the 01Edu peer-learning model because e don see from his Andela experience say traditional instructor-led training no dey scale, and e no dey ground understanding well-well. Plus, Naija people naturally like to help each other, making peer learning a perfect cultural fit.
The Student Experience and Big Vision
Students like Fayokunmi (a mechanical engineering grad) are finally breaking out of the "endless learning loop" and actually applying skills to real projects. E even plan to combine his engineering knowledge with software to automate his family's manual fish farming business. Mentors like Ezekiel Leke and Itunuoluwa no just dey act like strict teachers, dem be like big brother and sister wey dey guide the students from zero level to writing functional code.
The ultimate goal of Learn2Earn na to train and release one million AI-native software engineers enter the global market, just like India do. As Aboyeji talk am: "Na junior talent dey become senior engineers. Dem no dey drop from heaven." So while companies dey look for senior talents to hire today, Learn2Earn dey build the solid pipeline wey go supply the industry for tomorrow.
Enjoy this gist? Make e dey land for your inbox.
