5 days ago
37 ARTICLE AD
The nature of work is currently undergoing a significant change driven by advancements in technology, conventional nine-to-five office-based settings are giving way to emerging trends such as remote work and the gig economy. These shifts are redefining how individuals approach employment and how organisations manage their operations and workforces. These trends bring exciting opportunities for flexibility and innovation but also introduce challenges for individuals, organisations and governments. As a technology leader, I believe it is essential to objectively evaluate these changes to adapt effectively to the evolving nature of work.
Remote work is fast becoming a model for many organisations, technology has allowed people to work from anywhere using software packages and applications that facilitate communication, collaboration, and productivity (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.). This distributed model allows organisations to tap into a global talent pool, reduce operational costs and provide employees with flexibility. However, remote work has its challenges such as difficulties in communication, preserving company culture and ensuring productivity without direct supervision. For individuals, while the freedom to manage their schedules is appealing, the lack of in-person interaction can lead to isolation and heightened pressure to deliver without the support that comes with a traditional office environment.
The gig economy is another notable shift. It refers to an emerging labour market that is characterised by short-term contracts, freelancing and project-based jobs rather than permanent positions. It involves the exchange of services for money between clients and employers via digital platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, etc., temporarily. The gig economy is primarily driven in Nigeria by young professionals with a significant proportion under the age of 40 using the platforms for a broad range of services such as writing, teaching, graphic design, technical support, virtual assistance, digital marketing, video editing, etc. This model provides the flexibility of choosing when, where and how they work. However, it comes with challenges such as a lack of job security, inconsistent income, and absence of paid leave and healthcare benefits among others.
The rise of remote work and freelancing can be closely linked to the growth of the digital economy. Businesses and organisations depend on digital platforms to manage operations, serve customers and engage with employees. New opportunities are emerging for individuals to create value in the digital space, but this progress has also come with its challenges. While cloud services and collaboration tools support these flexible work models, advancements in automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning are raising concerns about job displacement in industries reliant on routine or manual tasks.
However, the belief that technology will eliminate jobs entirely is misleading. Automation does displace some roles, but it also creates new roles such as data scientists, cloud engineers and cybersecurity experts, machine learning engineers, blockchain developers, etc. These positions were not in existence some years ago but are now critical for businesses to stay competitive, secure and productive. For example, Nigerian software engineers and full-stack developers, who might struggle to find lucrative opportunities locally can now connect with global clients through Upwork and Fiverr and participate in the global economy without relocating.
There are misconceptions surrounding remote and gig work in this part of the world. Many assume that remote workers are not serious or productive compared to those in traditional office environments. Some even think those who work in this space are jobless because they stay indoors almost all day, especially tech professionals who work across time zones. Sadly, many technical talents in Nigeria are most times stereotyped as people in fraud (“Yahoo Yahoo”), they oftentimes face harassment from security agencies. While there may be a few who hide under the cover of being remote tech professionals or freelancers for their fraudulent activities, there are thousands of genuine technical talents in Nigeria working for global organisations and businesses right from the comfort of their homes making legitimate earnings.
In my experience, despite the mental stress, technical expertise, problem-solving skills and long hours involved in managing remote projects, consultations and client relationships, yet many assume it is less demanding, which often results in undervaluation and difficulties in securing fair compensation. Some people would even blackmail you to do a free service or offer you a stipend even when handling complex projects and strict deadlines. It can be particularly frustrating when these expectations come from those who undermine the legitimacy of remote work and perpetuate a narrow view of professionalism. Another misconception is that remote workers from developing countries like Nigeria are less reliable or skilled than their counterparts in developed nations. However, the reality is that remote work and freelancing are gradually thriving among technical talents in Nigeria.
The flexibility of gig and remote work is undeniably attractive, but it comes with notable challenges. Many gig workers find themselves taking on multiple projects at once to make ends meet, I have observed this particularly in the tech sector. Developers, for example, often take on multiple roles and projects simultaneously because they want to earn more money. Sadly, this causes them to often miss deadlines, deliver substandard work and disappoint their clients because they cannot devote enough attention to each project. This approach is detrimental in the long run because it does not allow them to focus on building a strong and sustainable career, it also negatively impacts their reputation.
On average, Nigerian remote tech professionals and freelancers face infrastructural issues like unreliable internet and power outages, which limits their ability to perform effectively. These factors seemingly also contribute to the stigmatisation of Nigerian tech talent in the global space. Despite their skills, tech professionals are often not given fair chances by international employers due to concerns about infrastructure. I have seen cases where Nigerians are ghosted after successful interviews, because of the experience the hiring managers have had with working with people from the country. While it is unfair stigmatisation, would you blame them? obviously not. Imagine a situation when there is a need to be at an important meeting for a key project, only for you to be the only one whose internet is breaking or complain of a power outage and you could not participate optimally, because you are a Nigerian living in Nigeria.
These problems are not limited to individuals. Managing a distributed workforce in the gig economy presents significant challenges for businesses as well. Unlike traditional teams, remote or freelance workers operate independently and are not tied to a single location, making it difficult to build team cohesion and maintain consistent quality standards. Additionally, organisations must navigate legal and regulatory complexities when working with gig workers across different regions. Ensuring that workers have the necessary tools, support and resources is vital to overcome these obstacles. Trust is also essential for building motivation and engagement among remote teams.
Looking ahead, technology adoption, remote work and the gig economy will continue to shape the future of work. The demand for skilled remote and freelance workers will increase as more businesses and organisations embrace digital transformation. Individuals, on their part, must take proactive steps to remain competitive in the evolving digital economy. This requires continuous learning and upskilling to adapt to new technology and emerging job roles, they must also learn how to build strong professional networks and leverage global platforms.
Organisations should adopt strategies that integrate remote and freelance workers into their operations effectively. This includes providing tools, resources and support systems to empower workers to succeed in their roles, regardless of location. Fair compensation, opportunities for career growth and collaboration among distributed teams is essential. Businesses should also focus on developing a culture that values remote work as a legitimate and impactful mode of operation, thus breaking the stereotypes and ensuring all staff are treated equitably.
Governments must prioritise improving infrastructure, particularly reliable power and internet, to empower both technical and non-technical talents in Nigeria to compete on a global scale. Beyond connectivity, policies that support digital skills training, promote equitable labour practices and create enabling environments for innovation are essential. Governments must also establish clear legal frameworks that protect remote and gig workers’ rights while encouraging businesses to adopt inclusive and sustainable practices, even within public service. The future of work in the digital age presents tremendous potential for Nigeria to accelerate the growth of its digital economy and unlock the full capabilities of its technical talents.
Oyeniyi, the team lead at Cybersecurity & Risk and Compliance at Cybernalytix Professionals Company Ltd writes via [email protected]
