Your degree is not enough, AI skills determine who gets employed- Tech experts

Tech experts have declared that Artificial Intelligence, AI, is no longer a luxury for tech professionals but a basic survival skill every Nigerian must acquire to stay relevant in 2026.

The experts stated this on Tuesday, during a tech programme, Naija.AI on Royal FM 90.7 Abeokuta, while speaking on the topic, “Is Artificial Intelligence Becoming a Survival Skill for Nigerians?”

An AI and ML Engineer, Ben Sam Oladoyin popularly known as AI Sam, opined that Artificial Intelligence has been integrated into all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

According to him, Nigerians should stop debating whether they need AI or not, stressing that it is a skill that will solve problems and make the economy better.

“AI is cutting across all sectors. If you note in the academic sector, AI is integrated, security, AI is integrated, sport, AI is integrated, even commerce. Whichever sector you want to talk about, AI is integrated, talk about our social media platforms,” he said.

The Data Engineer asserted that AI is not only for those who already have opportunities, but also creates opportunities for those who do not have.

Dispelling fears that AI will take jobs, AI Sam eho doubles as the founder of BTE Hub Solutions and TRAX said the claim has been a myth since the AI boom.

“It has been a myth, even right from the beginning. After the blow up of AI, people have been saying AI is going to take people’s job and all of that. But I don’t think that is true. It’s only those that know how to use AI that will take the job of those that doesn’t know how to use AI,” he stated.

He explained that AI remains a tool that still needs humans to prompt, control and command it, urging Nigerians to acquire the skill and integrate it into their fields.

On how unemployed Nigerians can use AI to generate income, AI Sam said with a smartphone and internet connection in 2026, a person already has 60 percent of what is needed to make money.

He advised youths to venture into affiliate marketing by approaching businesses, offering to promote their products using AI-generated flyers, videos and audio content in exchange for commission.

“Look for a business, talk to them. Tell them you have AI skill to push their products. For any customer you convert, you take 10, 20, 30 per cent. Every brand needs someone to promote their product,” he said.

Speaking on how small businesses like fashion designers and photographers can use AI without spending a fortune, AI Sam said the opportunities are limitless.

He explained that a fashion designer can now use tools like Gemini to visualize a design idea, put it on different body sizes, create an ultra-realistic spinning video and push it on social media to attract customers without sewing a sample.

He added that business owners can also automate customer follow-up on WhatsApp to avoid losing clients.

Also speaking, Mr. Fredrick Abodunrin, a Software Engineer and Technology Eucator,
warned students against using AI to do their assignments outright, saying it could kill their creativity.

According to him, students should use AI to understand and not to think for them, adding that they must be able to defend whatever AI generates for them.

He further cautioned parents on data privacy, urging them to be mindful of personal information they post online, such as home address and family details, which scammers can use to perpetrate fraud.

The seasoned backend engineer, also highlighted the dangers associated with AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, online scams and the exposure of personal data.

He warned that criminals could exploit publicly available photographs and information to create convincing fake videos for fraudulent purposes and urged parents to exercise greater caution when posting personal information about themselves and their children online.

“Avoid unnecessarily exposing details such as home addresses, workplaces and other sensitive information. Parents should also combine education with reasonable digital boundaries and available parental-control tools for their children.

They urged Nigerians who had yet to begin using AI to start learning immediately, stressing that the objective should not be blind dependence on the technology but responsible utilisation.

“Embrace AI. Do not ignore it. Most importantly, find a way to use AI responsibly,” they said.