The Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint, Tosin Eniolorunda, has raised concerns over a widening talent gap in Nigeria, revealing that the company is struggling to fill about 500 vacancies due to a shortage of qualified candidates.

Speaking at The Platform Nigeria hosted by Pastor Poju Oyemade in Lagos on May 1, 2026, Eniolorunda said the firm had made a deliberate shift to local hiring but is finding it difficult to meet its standards.

“We made a decision that we will no longer hire from any other place than Nigeria. If you go to Moniepoint career website, we have maybe 500 vacancies and we are struggling to find people to fill those roles,” he said.

He added that the challenge goes beyond numbers, stressing that “not only could we not find people at the quality and the quantity we needed, the few people that we found were not up to the global standards that we need.”

Eniolorunda explained that the company operates in a highly competitive global environment, making top-tier talent non-negotiable. “We are not competing with just local players… I’m competing globally. I need to make sure that I have world-class people working in the organisation,” he said.

The Moniepoint boss attributed the talent shortage partly to structural issues within Nigeria’s education system and broader societal influences. Reflecting on his observations, he said, “I used to feel like Nigerians are really, really bright, but I’m beginning to feel like we need to do something.”

He pointed to the impact of social environment and digital culture, noting that “environment shapes a lot of things from what we consume on social media to the values shaping society.”

Eniolorunda also expressed concern over the rise of internet fraud and the appeal of quick wealth, warning that these trends are reshaping the ambitions of young Nigerians. “The level that people are reasoning in this country is not as high as it used to be,” he said.

He further Identified the continued migration of skilled workers, popularly known as “japa,” as a key factor draining the local talent pool.

Despite the challenges, the CEO maintained that Nigeria’s large population presents an opportunity if properly harnessed. “In a country of over 200 million people, there are many alternatives to becoming a ‘big boy’ or chasing quick money,” he said, urging investment in human capital and a shift in mindset toward sustainable career growth.

The remarks underscore growing concerns among industry leaders about workforce readiness in Nigeria’s fast-evolving tech sector. (The Guardian)

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