inDrive, a global mobility and delivery services platform, has called for stronger collaboration among employers, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to create an ecosystem that gives Nigerian talent greater opportunities to develop and apply their skills.
The call was made during a panel session titled “Building and Reshaping the Tech Talent Story” at GITEX Nigeria 2026 on the first day of the event at the Landmark Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The session examined the role of global companies in developing local talent to meet changing industry standards, as well as the challenges entrepreneurs face in turning technical skills and innovative ideas into scalable businesses.
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Speaking during the session, Timothy Oladimeji, Country Manager of inDrive Nigeria, said Nigeria has a large pool of talented people but needs to create more opportunities for trained professionals to apply their knowledge, gain practical experience and further develop their skills.
He called on investors, policymakers, private-sector organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen the technology ecosystem through greater collaboration and sustained investment in talent development.
Oladimeji also encouraged companies to open up internal learning resources and share knowledge gained from previous campaigns and product deployments, saying this could give emerging talent valuable practical experience.
“Every player and stakeholder, especially employers and the private sector, has a responsibility to contribute to the system. If you are here for the long term, you have to think about how you invest in the system that will eventually provide the talent you need in the future,” he said.
inDrive Highlights Support for Talent Development
Speaking about inDrive’s efforts to develop talent, Oladimeji highlighted initiatives aimed at supporting people at different stages of their careers and entrepreneurial journeys.
He said the company’s efforts range from exposing young people to technology to supporting entrepreneurs who are developing innovative businesses.
Oladimeji also disclosed that Nigeria recorded the highest number of applications from any country during the 2026 Aurora Tech Award cycle, an inDrive global initiative that supports women technology entrepreneurs.
According to him, the strong application numbers demonstrate the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial potential among women founders in Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s technology story is often discussed as a skills challenge, but for many talented entrepreneurs, particularly women founders, the challenge goes beyond skills to access to capital and opportunities to grow,” he said.
“The fact that Nigeria recorded the highest number of applications from any country for the 2026 Aurora Tech Award demonstrates the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial potential in the country, while also highlighting the need for stronger support to help talented founders turn their ideas into scalable businesses.”
