Telecom
Blakskill App: A Bridge to Solve the Challenges Organisations Face in Sourcing Verified Talents across all Sectors of the Economy – Olugbenga Omojola, CEO
Blakskill limited an indigenous talent organization has developed an app designed to give organisations global access to verified talents while also giving talents (job seekers) a platform to showcase their competencies.
The app is a robust platform designed to solve the challenges organisations face in talent sourcing as well as the ones faced by job seekers in showcasing themselves to prospective employers. Blakskill provides global access to verified talents!
Mr Olugbenga Omojola, a renowned Management Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Blakskill Limited stated this while speaking with newsmen by the side-lines of the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas , USA.
According to him, “Blakskill Limited is a robust technological platform that we invested in to solve the problem of talent sourcing for organisations across various sectors of the economy. Of course, this includes the Oil and Gas sector along with all other sectors of the economy. And how Blakskill works is this; not only does it solve the sourcing of verified talent for organisations, it also helps job seekers to showcase themselves.
“So, it’s like a bridge where job seekers can express themselves and where talent-employers can find them. An industry report indicates that Post-pandemic labor markets have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in many countries with low unemployment and growing talent shortages.
“Today, 77% of employers report difficultly in filling roles. However, Blakskill Limited provides the real-time data and insight that companies and people need to respond to today’s trends.
“So as workforce experts, we have created a platform that provides global access to verified talents. A platform where job seekers can be discovered by talent seekers who are looking to hire and retain the best talents”.
He further noted that as the global economy steadily recovers, employers are more optimistic and hiring demand remains strong.
On the importance of the app, Omojola expressed that the app provides employers with unlimited access to verified talents. ‘’By verified talents, I’m saying – for example, a Television station looking to hire an experienced reporter who has five years related experience and some other mandatory requirements can come on the platform and type ‘Television Reporter’ in the search window.
“The platform will streamline the search and bring out the profiles of professionals who fit that bill and that are already verified across various competencies; showing their proficiency levels across the required technical and behavioural competencies – and that’s just one of the functions of the app”.
Also, he noted that Blakskill could also conduct background checks on talents for recruiting organisations. ‘’You know, the app will be projecting talents that have been passed through certain checks which will include previous employer reference, social media footprints and even criminal records, depending on the type of access the platform user has subscribed to.
“The platform shortens the recruitment curve, saves organisations a lot of money and ultimately provides access to the right kind of talent. That’s for employers.
“Now, for the talents, Job seekers get the opportunity to showcase themselves and they are ranked across varied levels.
Also, they get an opportunity to access career coaching and counselling on Blakskill as well. So, not only is Blakskill designed to solve recruitment problems for organisations, it is also a platform that helps job seekers secure employments with prospective employers.
The CEO of Blakskill said that the Blakskill app is set to revolutionize the art of talent sourcing and it can be downloaded from the Playstore and Apple Store.
He also further affirmed that it is impossible to manipulate the Blakskill system as the team is made up of renowned and tested professionals who are well known both in the Private and Public sectors in Nigeria.
In his words, Omojola said, “We are people of integrity and we’ve been in business for over a decade. As a Director and CEO at Blakskill, I assure all our current and prospective subscribers that our team is made up of professionals with impeccable integrity and character.
“Blakskill is a credibile platform. We’ve been in the business of providing talent sourcing solutions to leading and growing organisations over the years and it has never happened that we would recommend a candidate that is unsuitable or that does not meet our clients specifications.
“In addition to talent sourcing, we have also been conducting background checks services before the app was created”.
Omojola is also, the founder of First Excelsia Professional Services, a Non-Executive Director at PremiumTrust Bank and the Coordinator of ‘Friends of Jesus’, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria and some other prestigious professional associations.
He is an alumnus of London Graduate School and holds a first degree in Industrial and Labour Relations with professional and academic Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Organisational Behaviour respectively.
A recent Groupe Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report has cast a spotlight on the significant contributions of Nigeria’s telecom sector to the nation’s GDP, highlighting its crucial role in driving economic growth and development.
Released amidst growing interest in the Nigerian telecom landscape, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the sector’s impact on the country’s economic metrics. Key findings reveal that in 2023 alone, the telecom sector directly contributed 8% to Nigeria’s total GDP. However, when factoring in the wider ICT industries’ value-added contributions, this figure surged to an impressive 13.5%.
Beyond mere numbers, the report delves into the intricacies of the telecom sector’s influence on various economic sectors. It elucidates how the mobile industry’s cumulative contribution to Nigeria’s GDP reached an estimated 20 trillion NGN in 2023, accompanied by substantial tax revenue contributions totalling 2.8 trillion NGN. Such figures further highlight the sector’s role in driving fiscal revenues and national economic stability.
Moreover, the report sheds light on the transformative potential of the telecom sector in enabling digitalisation across key industries. Projections indicate that by 2028, sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, transport, trade, and government are poised to witness a remarkable GDP increase of approximately 2 percentage points.
This surge is expected to generate an additional NGN 1.6 trillion in tax revenue, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification and resilience.
“The telecommunications sector is the backbone of the digital economy. We have a strong appreciation of the fact that if we are able to improve the business environment and invest in the sector, we can continue to improve the level of productivity.
A country like Nigeria has significant opportunities to contribute to the world, but this is impossible without diversifying the economy”. Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy added.
The report also highlights the vital role of 5G networks in enhancing operational efficiency across sectors through real-time data transmission and remote monitoring.
It spotlights the immense potential of digitalisation in sectors like manufacturing and trade, with the capacity to add trillions in industry value and generate substantial employment opportunities and tax revenues.
Despite these promising revelations, the report also acknowledges the challenges faced by the telecom sector, particularly its capital-intensive nature.
The report’s findings beckon a clarion call for concerted efforts to leverage the telecom sector’s potential as a catalyst for economic advancement. With the right policies and investments, Nigeria stands poised to harness the full spectrum of opportunities offered by its vibrant telecom landscape, driving inclusive growth and prosperity for all.
While the advocacy for tariff increase remains under deliberations, revelations in the latest Groupe Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report have watered the ground for an increased tariff increase advocacy. The report, offering a deep dive into the sector’s dynamics, provides compelling arguments for adjusting tariffs to ensure sustainability and growth.
L-R: Juergen Peschel, Chief Executive Officer, 9Mobile; Dr. Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, & Digital Economy; Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission; Gbenga Adebayo, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON); Bella Disu, Executive Vice Chairperson, Globacom; Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN; Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSM Association (GSMA); Ibrahim Dikko, Chief Executive Officer, Backbone Connectivity Networks Nig. Ltd.; at the GSMA Nigeria Digital Economy Report launch in Abuja on May 9 2024.
Highlighted in the report is the telecom sector’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s GDP. In 2023 alone, it accounted for 8% of the nation’s total GDP, a figure that swelled to 13.5% when considering the broader ICT ecosystem. The mobile industry’s overall contribution to GDP was estimated at a staggering 20 trillion NGN, with substantial tax revenues of 2.8 trillion NGN.
The sector’s potential to drive digitalisation across various domains is of paramount importance. The report projects a significant boost in GDP across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, transport, trade, and government, translating into nearly 2 million jobs and an additional NGN 1.6 trillion in tax revenues by 2028.
The promise of 5G networks is poised to revolutionise operations, particularly in critical sectors like oil and mining, with real-time data transmission and remote monitoring enhancing efficiency. Digitalisation, especially in manufacturing and trade, holds immense potential for value addition and job creation, promising billions in additional tax revenues.
Despite Nigeria’s noteworthy internet usage figures, with 29% of the population regularly online, the sector faces challenges. The country boasts the lowest-cost data baskets in Africa, yet maintaining competitive mobile data network speeds remains essential. With an average speed of 21Mbps, Nigeria’s performance is comparable to neighbouring countries, underscoring the need for sustained investments.
However, sustaining this growth requires recognizing the capital-intensive nature of the telecom sector. Operators must continually invest in network maintenance and expansion, necessitating a conducive regulatory environment that ensures fair returns on investments.
Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, commenting during the report launch, said, “We raised several issues on the state of affairs of the telecom industry, and among the challenges articulated is the return on investment, stability of the infrastructure and the need for pricing rights. As an ecosystem, tariff hike is one of the sensitive issues affecting the telecom sector and has to be addressed by all stakeholders. We need to look at the state of affairs of the industry and examine holistically. There are ongoing obligations to our end users including infrastructure security. Tariff increase is a solution to solve multiple challenges of the telecom industry.“
The GSMA report positions the ongoing tariff adjustment deliberations as a strategic move to secure the sector’s long-term viability. With Nigeria’s digital future at stake, finding a balance between affordability for consumers and sustainability for operators is paramount to ensure continued growth and innovation in the telecom landscape.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said the telecoms sector should not be a palliative to solve economic woes.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON,
He made this call during his address at the Groupe Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report launch which took place in Abuja.
According to Adebayo, the telecom industry faces numerous challenges that hinder its growth and development.
He emphasized the need for sustainable investment, effective regulation, and a conducive business environment to drive progress.
The GSMA digital report, launched May 9th 2024, 2024, highlights the telecom’s 8 percent contribution to Nigeria’s GDP and 13.5% when considering the broader ICT ecosystem.
The report also highlights the significant challenges plaguing the industry including investment challenges, right of way, multiple taxation, and regulation.
Adebayo highlighted the existence of over 45 associated charges and levies on operators, despite the supposed removal of right of way costs.
He said that it creates an unfavorable business environment, discouraging investment and hindering the industry’s ability to deliver quality services.
He also stressed that regulatory interference and the lack of independence for the regulator exacerbate the problem.
The price review should be a simple regulatory process.
The public debate this has gained makes it appear the industry is insensitive to people’s concern.
“While the government tries to provide incentives for the public on account of ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, the telecoms sector should not be used as a palliative to solve the people’s problem. We must price right to sustain the industry; we must price right to have the right investment,” , Adebayo said.
He concluded that the industry must be allowed to operate sustainably, with the right investment and regulation, to deliver quality services and drive economic progress; encouraging stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, and operators, to work together to address the challenges facing the industry, in order to drive economic growth, and fulfill its potential as a critical sector in Nigeria’s economy.
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