The Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda, has sparked conversations about the state of talent development in Nigeria after revealing that the fintech company is struggling to fill more than 500 open positions despite focusing its recruitment efforts locally.
Speaking during an appearance on The Platform, a public affairs programme aired on Channels Television, Eniolorunda shared concerns about what he described as a widening talent-quality gap in the country.
According to him, Moniepoint made a strategic decision in 2024 to concentrate its hiring efforts entirely within Nigeria, hoping to tap into local talent and strengthen its workforce with homegrown professionals. However, by 2025, the company reportedly began facing serious recruitment challenges.
Eniolorunda disclosed that while there is no shortage of job applicants, the bigger issue lies in finding candidates who meet the level of technical skill, competence, and global standards required to compete in the international fintech space.
He explained that Moniepoint is not only competing with local startups or financial institutions but also with major global players, particularly companies from Asia.
As a result, he said the company must maintain a high standard when building its workforce to remain competitive in the fast-evolving digital finance sector.
The Moniepoint CEO noted that the problem goes beyond employment and reflects deeper structural issues in Nigeria’s talent pipeline.
He pointed to weaknesses in the country’s education system, arguing that many graduates are entering the workforce without the level of practical knowledge, problem-solving ability, and professional readiness expected in global organisations.
Beyond formal education, Eniolorunda also expressed concern over what he believes are shifting social values among younger Nigerians.
He linked part of the challenge to the growing influence of internet fraud culture, excessive social media consumption, hookup culture, and a broader obsession with quick financial success.
According to him, these trends are gradually shaping a culture where short-term wealth and online validation are becoming more attractive than discipline, skill-building, and long-term career growth.
Eniolorunda warned that if the trend continues, it could have serious implications for Nigeria’s future workforce and global competitiveness.
He also described the issue as partly a role-model crisis, suggesting that many young people are increasingly influenced by visible examples of sudden wealth rather than by professionals who built success through expertise, consistency, and innovation.
His comments have since generated debate online, with many Nigerians agreeing that the country faces a growing skills gap, while others argue that the issue also reflects broader economic pressures, brain drain, and gaps between academic training and industry needs.
As one of Africa’s leading fintech companies, Moniepoint has rapidly expanded its presence by offering digital payment solutions, banking services, and business tools to merchants and enterprises across the continent.
The company’s hiring challenges highlight a broader conversation taking place across Nigeria’s technology ecosystem about talent development, workforce readiness, and whether the country is adequately preparing young professionals for the demands of a globally competitive economy.
With Nigeria positioning itself as a major tech hub in Africa, Eniolorunda’s remarks have once again brought attention to the urgent need for stronger education reforms, digital skills development, mentorship, and a cultural shift toward excellence and long-term value creation.
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