What is your personal AI career development strategy? Good People, this AI thing will expire many careers. Yes, I have seen how technology has punted and expired careers. When I started computing after graduating from FUT Owerri, we made money coupling computers for people. 

You would buy computer motherboards,  hard disks, RAMs, etc, and with a boot diskette, you would get everything going, loading and running a BIOS utility program that would enable the installation of the operating system. In two hours, the computer would be ready for us.

It was a great business and we were geeks. Then one day, there was no need for a geek, as everything was coupled and packaged from the factory. So, they disintermediated the roles of geeks, and one by one, that opportunity closed. I panicked and decided to return back to electrical engineering as I felt that “IT” was vulnerable.

Today,  AI will do the same thing to many careers at scale. And I ask you to PLAN to be the boss of AI, because this thing will cause dislocations, and only the bosses will remain. Yes, you must rule AI, and that means having skills which make you better with AI support. Simply, AI-compliant skills and capabilities. 

In a bold leap forward for artificial intelligence (AI), OpenAI unveiled its latest innovation on Monday—a revolutionary AI model named GPT-4o, accompanied by a desktop version of ChatGPT and an overhauled user interface.

This release represents OpenAI’s ambitious endeavor to democratize access to its renowned chatbot technology while elevating user experience to unprecedented heights.

During a live-streamed event, Mira Murati, the technology chief at OpenAI, delivered the momentous announcement, announcing the integration of GPT-4 into ChatGPT for all users, including those on the free tier. 

If you do not know how, please consider joining Tekedia Mini-MBA as we’re adding a new module titled “Careers in AI Era”.

In a bid to enhance efficiency and foster economic growth, the federal government of Nigeria announced on Monday, May 13, that it is in the process of implementing a new wage system in the civil service based on employees’ productivity. 

This innovative approach aims to reward workers based on their individual contributions, potentially leading to varying salaries among employees at the same level.

The revelation came from Nasir Raji-Mustapha, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), during a meeting with Labour correspondents. Raji-Mustapha emphasized the importance of productivity in driving economic development, highlighting the need for a wage system that aligns with employees’ performance.

“We are in the process of developing a productivity-led wage system that will ensure that those who are productive are rewarded for their efforts irrespective of their grade level,” stated Raji-Mustapha. “Under the proposed system, employees on the same salary scale can earn different wages.”

Addressing concerns about stakeholder involvement, Raji-Mustapha assured that organized labor has been actively engaged in the development of the new wage system. He underscored the collaborative nature of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of labor’s input in shaping the framework.

“Of course, labor as a critical stakeholder is being carried along in this exercise. As researchers, we don’t just do things without considering the recipient of the reports.

“When we started the project about three or four years ago, we held a stakeholders’ forum in which the labour unions participated. We even went further to send a memo to NLC and TUC to ask them whether they will support the proposed Wage System and they said they will welcome it,” he said.

The NPC has completed the first phase of the study, with the next stage involving extensive stakeholder engagement to refine the proposed system before presenting it to the federal government for consideration and potential adoption.

Furthermore, Raji-Mustapha revealed the NPC’s collaboration with international agencies and organizations to enhance the productivity and skills of Nigerian workers. Partnerships with entities such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aim to leverage global expertise and resources to bolster productivity in the country.

Highlighting the importance of youth empowerment, Raji-Mustapha noted the NPC’s efforts in promoting productivity among youth, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Initiatives to revive productivity advocacy at NYSC camps underscore the NPC’s commitment to fostering a culture of efficiency among the younger generation.

The culmination of these efforts will be the upcoming National Productivity Summit, where Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as the keynote speaker. Raji-Mustapha emphasized the need for the summit to address the exigencies of the evolving global economy and harnessing science, technology, and innovation to optimize national resources.

“The summit is very important because, in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, you will agree with me that there is a need for increased productivity. We must harness the power of science, technology and innovation and use them to optimise the resources in the country and the VP is the keynote speaker,” he added.

The federal government’s initiative to implement a productivity-based wage system reflects a strategic approach to incentivizing performance and driving economic growth. With stakeholder collaboration and international partnerships, the NPC aims to lay the groundwork for a more productive and prosperous future for Nigeria.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the prioritization of skills acquisition over traditional certificates in higher institutions to accelerate the country’s development and equip citizens for the demands of the modern world.

He was speaking at the 25th-anniversary celebration of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), in Edo State, where he reflected on his tenure and advocated for progressive ideas and women’s empowerment. Jonathan, who served as President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, lamented that some of the forward-thinking initiatives he championed during his presidency were abandoned after his tenure ended.

Recalling the challenges he faced during his presidency, Jonathan noted that despite the obstacles, he was able to implement significant changes, particularly in promoting gender equality. 

He highlighted the barriers faced by women in various career fields, particularly in the military, and cited his directive to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to admit women as a pivotal moment. Despite resistance, Jonathan said he exerted his authority as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to ensure the implementation of this directive, paving the way for women to become integral members of the military, with some excelling as jet fighters.

He said: “I recall the challenges faced by women in the military. But as President, I directed that the Nigerian Defence Academy commence admission of women into the institution.

However, Jonathan expressed disappointment that some of his ideas aimed at advancing the technological development of the country were abandoned after his presidency. He attributed this to resistance from certain quarters, underscoring the challenges of pushing forward progressive agendas in Nigeria’s political landscape.

In addition to advocating for progressive policies, Jonathan called for a recalibration of the nation’s education curriculum, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing skills acquisition and technology over traditional certificates. He asserted that a focus on practical skills would accelerate the country’s development and equip citizens for the demands of the modern world.

However, Jonathan condemned the prevalence of cultism and bullying in the nation’s lower school system, urging government intervention to eradicate these menaces and create safer learning environments for students.

Acknowledging the pivotal role played by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in approving the establishment of Igbinedion University, Jonathan expressed gratitude for his contribution to the country’s democratic journey. He also commended Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Founder of Igbinedion University, for his vision and courage in establishing the institution, which has since become a beacon of excellence in Nigeria’s education sector.

General Abdulsalami, in his remarks, praised Chief Igbinedion for his foresight in establishing the university and thanked the Okada community for their support in fostering peace and stability within the university’s environs.

The celebration of IUO’s 25th anniversary was marked by the cutting of a commemorative cake, symbolizing the university’s journey of growth and excellence. Deputy Pro-Chancellor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, highlighted the institution’s achievements over the past 25 years, including the graduation of over 60,000 students.

Jonathan’s call for skills-based education resonates with a growing global belief that the labor market requires just the right skills, not certificates that in many instances, do not translate to productivity. 

In 2020, Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of corporate innovation giants Tesla and SpaceX, said he does not care about degrees when hiring, noting that skills matter more than diplomas and degrees issued by schools.

“A PhD is definitely not required,” Musk wrote. “Don’t care if you even graduated high school.” The billionaire entrepreneur added: “I think college is basically for fun and to prove that you can do your chores, but they’re not for learning.”

Musk’s sentiment has fueled debate around this subject as the world is notably shifting toward a skills-based economy.