In February 2025, Alison attended the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, where Alison Founder and CEO Mike Feerick delivered a keynote speech. The summit brought together education leaders and representatives of the Nigerian government to explore the future of education and showcase the outstanding achievements of the Nigerian educational sector.
Mike delivered a memorable message on the transformative power of education and its crucial role in Africa’s development. After his speech, Mike was joined on stage by CNN Africa’s award-winning Senior Editor Africa, Stephanie Busari, and together, they discussed how innovation in education can shape Africa’s future. With access to quality learning still out of reach for many, their conversation explored how digital education can democratise learning, upskill entire workforces, and create new career pathways – all without financial barriers.
As the world’s largest free online learning platform, Alison has long been committed to making education accessible and relevant to all. With over 45 million learners across 193 countries, our presence at this event reinforced our mission to bridge skills gaps, empower individuals, and reshape global education access in Africa and worldwide.
The Future of Online Learning and Certification
The landscape of education is undergoing a profound transformation. As digital learning platforms continue to rise, traditional education models are being redefined, with more learners than ever embracing online education for its flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Alison is at the forefront of this shift, with more than 7 million people enrolling in one or more of our 5,500+ free online courses in 2024 alone. Online learning is no longer just an alternative – it’s becoming the norm, empowering millions worldwide to gain valuable skills, earn certifications, and advance their careers without financial barriers.
These facts laid the foundations for Mike’s address to the conference attendees. He highlighted that while only 8% of the world’s population has attended college, technology can educate 100% of people at a fraction of the cost of traditional learning. Soon, anyone will be able to study any subject, at any level, in any language – for free, thanks to AI-powered platforms that will enable full online high schools and universal education access.
Once Mike was joined on stage by Stephanie, they discussed how innovation in education can shape Africa’s future. With access to quality learning still out of reach for many, their conversation explored how digital education can democratise learning, upskill entire workforces, and create new career pathways, all without financial barriers. Mike also emphasised how AI is set to revolutionise hiring practices, allowing employers to test candidates in real-time instead of relying on degrees earned a decade ago, making traditional certificates less relevant.
With Africa projected to make up half of the world’s new workforce by 2030, Alison’s commitment to free, accessible learning ensures that African learners are equipped to thrive in an evolving job market and contribute meaningfully to the world’s economic future.
Opportunities for Nigerians: Skills, Jobs, and Economic Empowerment
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is undergoing significant economic and educational transformation. The country faces a rapidly evolving job market influenced by technology, globalisation, and shifting business needs. However, a considerable skills gap threatens to leave many Nigerians behind in this dynamic landscape. Notably, according to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in the second quarter of 2024, with youth unemployment higher among those with post-secondary education. This indicates a mismatch between educational outcomes and market demands.
Additionally, a 2024 report by the African Development Bank Group highlighted that 66.9% of manufacturing firms in Nigeria experience significant skills gaps, underscoring the need for targeted skills development.
The Omniverse Summit provides a platform for global leaders to discuss how education can address these issues. During his keynote speech, Mike focused on how platforms like Alison can help bridge these gaps by offering Nigerians the opportunity to upskill at no cost. As more Nigerians turn to online learning, they gain access to courses and certifications that can open doors to better job prospects and economic empowerment.
So, what key skills should Nigerians focus on to stay relevant in the workforce over the next five years?
Current Skills Gap in the Nigerian Workforce
1. Technology and digital literacy: Nigeria’s tech sector is growing rapidly, but there is a shortage of skilled professionals, particularly in areas like data analysis, software development, and cybersecurity. As more businesses embrace digital transformation, the demand for tech talent will only increase. Nigerians who develop these skills will be better positioned to land high-demand jobs in the coming years
2. Entrepreneurship and business skills: Nigeria has a growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but many lack the business management skills to succeed. With the proper training in areas like finance, marketing, and strategic planning, Nigerian entrepreneurs can scale their businesses and create more job opportunities for others. Alison’s free business and entrepreneurship courses, for example, provide essential skills in these areas.
3. Soft skills and leadership: Leadership and interpersonal skills are crucial for career progression, yet, according to Veriv Africa, many Nigerians are not adequately trained in these areas. As more Nigerians aspire to leadership roles, it is essential to focus on skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.
4. Healthcare and wellness: With a rising focus on health and wellness, the demand for healthcare professionals is surging. Nigeria faces significant gaps in skilled healthcare workers, ranging from medical practitioners to caregivers and wellness experts. Upgrading skills in these areas will help Nigerians tap into this critical and growing sector.
5. Sustainability and green jobs: As global awareness of environmental issues increases, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and the green economy. In Nigeria, the green jobs sector is still emerging, but it holds great promise. Courses in environmental science, renewable energy, and sustainable business practices are key to positioning Nigerians for success in this sector.
How Alison is Changing Global Education Access
Alison’s commitment to transforming global education access exemplifies our focus on offering free, high-quality education to anyone, anywhere. With thousands of courses across a range of categories – including business, technology, health, and digital literacy – our platform enables individuals to learn new skills, earn CPD-accredited Certificates, and change the trajectory of their careers without the financial burden of traditional education.
Our impact in Nigeria is particularly significant, as our platform empowers millions of Nigerians to close the skills gap and improve their chances of securing better employment. Nigeria ranks 5th among our top 10 countries, with 2 million registered users and 5 million course enrolments. By offering relevant and in-demand courses, Alison is actively contributing to empowering individuals and communities across the country, ensuring they have the knowledge and credentials to compete in an evolving job market.
Beyond courses, Alison offers career-building tools to help learners confidently navigate their professional journeys. Our Workplace Personality Assessment helps individuals understand their strengths and ideal work environments, while our Mental Health Assessment supports overall well-being in professional settings. The Career Ready Plan provides personalised guidance to help learners map out their career goals, and our Aptitude Test allows users to identify their core competencies and areas for growth. To further support job seekers, our Resumé Builder helps create polished, professional CVs that stand out to employers.
Alison’s Certificates have become a powerful tool for both job seekers and employers as well. As more companies recognise the value of online learning certifications, the gap between job seekers’ qualifications and employers’ expectations continues to close. Alison is a key player in this global shift, helping millions of learners demonstrate competence, gain confidence, and achieve their career goals. By combining free education with essential career tools, Alison is not just equipping individuals with knowledge, but also empowering them to take actionable steps towards meaningful employment and long-term success.
A Vision for the Future
The Omniverse Summit served as an important reminder of how online education can help tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, particularly in developing nations. Alison, with its free and accessible courses, is proud to play a pivotal role in this transformation – empowering people to upskill, gain confidence, and take control of their futures. By closing skills gaps and improving individuals’ relevance in the job market, we are committed to shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for learners everywhere.
