The Regional President of UNI Africa, Oyinkansola Olasanoye, has urged governments, employers, educational institutions and workers to embrace continuous learning and people-centred digital transformation, saying the future of work will be defined not by technology alone but by the ability of people to adapt, innovate and collaborate.
Speaking on the Ask the Expert segment of Trade FM’s Breakfast Business Briefing, Olasanoye said digital transformation is reshaping workplaces across the world and changing the skills employers seek, leadership styles, workplace culture and employment models.
According to her, the rapid shift towards digital transformation is being driven by a combination of technological advancement, changing customer expectations, economic realities, social factors and increasing global competition.
“Customers now demand faster, more efficient and round-the-clock services, compelling organisations to adopt digital technologies that improve productivity and service delivery,” she said.
Digital Transformation Goes Beyond Technology
Olasanoye explained that digital transformation is often misunderstood as simply adopting computers or artificial intelligence. She said, in reality, it involves deploying practical, affordable, secure and mobile digital tools that enable organisations to become more efficient and responsive.
She noted that employers are increasingly looking beyond technical competence when recruiting workers.
According to her, today’s workforce must combine digital proficiency with emotional intelligence, critical thinking, communication, innovation and independent decision-making.
“The modern employer wants workers who can use digital tools effectively, solve problems independently and require less supervision while delivering quality service,” she said.
AI Will Transform Jobs, Not Eliminate Them
Addressing growing concerns over artificial intelligence and automation, Olasanoye maintained that technology would transform jobs rather than make workers obsolete.
She said automation would create new ways of working, encourage flexible work arrangements and open opportunities for employees to acquire new competencies.
Rather than seeing AI as a competitor, she urged organisations to position it as a tool that complements human capabilities.
According to her, employers should introduce AI transparently, educate workers on its benefits and ensure employees understand that technology is designed to enhance productivity rather than replace people.
“The future belongs to employees who can use technology effectively, think independently, collaborate with others and adapt to change,” she said.
Continuous Learning Is No Longer Optional
Olasanoye stressed that lifelong learning has become essential for career growth in an increasingly digital economy.
She encouraged professionals to continually upgrade both their technical and interpersonal skills, describing communication, innovation and adaptability as critical competencies.
She said employees who continuously learn would remain competitive regardless of technological disruptions.
SMEs Can Begin with Simple Digital Solutions
Speaking on digital adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Olasanoye advised businesses to start with affordable technologies instead of investing immediately in expensive digital infrastructure.
She recommended reducing dependence on paper-based processes, strengthening online visibility and using accessible platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram to improve customer engagement.
She also called on SMEs to invest in regular staff training and periodically review their business processes to identify areas where technology could improve efficiency.
Cybersecurity Must Be a Priority
As more organisations move operations online, Olasanoye said businesses must strengthen cybersecurity by first conducting comprehensive risk assessments.
She noted that organisations should understand their digital vulnerabilities, protect sensitive information and continuously educate employees on responsible digital practices to reduce cyber risks.
Leadership Is Becoming More Collaborative
According to Olasanoye, digital transformation is changing traditional management structures.
She observed that leadership is shifting from command-and-control models to collaborative systems where employee engagement, innovation and teamwork are prioritised.
Rather than simply supervising workers, she said leaders must empower teams, encourage creativity and build workplace cultures that support innovation.
Remote and Hybrid Work Are Here to Stay
Reflecting on workplace changes following the COVID-19 pandemic, Olasanoye predicted that remote and hybrid work arrangements would remain permanent features of the modern economy.
She said these work models offer greater flexibility, enable workers to develop additional skills and provide opportunities to work with multiple clients.
However, she cautioned that remote work also presents challenges, including irregular income, reduced access to employment benefits such as pensions and healthcare, and the transfer of operational costs—including electricity and internet services—from employers to employees.
Traditional Employment Will Continue to Evolve
Despite the growth of freelancing and digital work platforms, Olasanoye dismissed suggestions that conventional nine-to-five employment would disappear.
Instead, she said traditional employment would continue to evolve alongside flexible work arrangements.
She noted that permanent employment still provides structured career progression, job security and statutory benefits that remain attractive to many workers.
Soft Skills Will Define Career Success
Olasanoye identified adaptability, emotional intelligence, leadership, communication, teamwork and problem-solving as the soft skills that will become increasingly valuable over the coming years.
She explained that as technology continues to evolve rapidly, workers must become comfortable with constant change and develop the ability to work effectively with people as well as digital systems.
No Worker Should Be Left Behind
She also stressed the importance of ensuring that older employees and workers with limited digital literacy are not excluded from workplace transformation.
According to her, organisations should invest heavily in continuous upskilling and reskilling programmes while helping employees build transferable skills that remain relevant across different industries and job roles.
She added that digital transformation should improve not only organisational performance but also the overall quality of life of employees.
Government and Schools Have Critical Roles
Olasanoye called on governments to prioritise digital infrastructure, integrate digital literacy into education policies and create incentives that expose students to practical workplace experience before graduation.
She urged educational institutions to redesign curricula by combining professional knowledge with entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, customer relations and digital competencies.
She also encouraged stronger partnerships between schools and industries to provide students with internships, industrial attachments and other work-based learning opportunities that prepare them for future careers.
Future Workplace Trends
Looking ahead over the next five to ten years, Olasanoye identified hybrid work arrangements, evolving employment structures and the growing emphasis on work-life balance as the trends likely to have the greatest impact on businesses and employees.
She said organisations that successfully balance technological innovation with employee wellbeing would be better positioned for long-term growth.
Final Advice to Workers
Offering advice to students, entrepreneurs, job seekers and professionals, Olasanoye urged them to embrace lifelong learning and remain adaptable.
She concluded that while technology will continue to change workplace tools and processes, human capabilities will remain indispensable.
“Technology may change the tools we use to work, but human skills will continue to determine how effectively those tools are used. The future belongs to people who can use technology, think independently, collaborate with others and adapt to change,” she said.
