Rukayat Alabi is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, global speaker, and a leading voice in the campaign for tech and business diversity. As the visionary behind RKY Careers and the “Limitless Without Borders” movement, she has dedicated her career to helping underrepresented professionals and immigrants transition into high-impact roles. In this dialogue, she examines Nigeria’s talent gap, the power of digital literacy, and why the diaspora is a critical engine for national growth.
The Disconnect in Nigerian Education
Nigeria is currently facing a triple threat: high unemployment, underemployment, and a widening skills gap. Where has the preparation of our workforce missed the mark?
Rukayat Alabi: The core issue is that we have long viewed education as a finish line rather than a gateway to economic contribution. For decades, our system has prioritized formal certificates over actual competence, theory over practical application, and academic accolades without a clear industry roadmap.
In the contemporary global economy, the most valuable currencies are adaptability, problem-solving, and digital fluency. Unfortunately, our educational institutions have been sluggish in pivoting toward these demands. Through RKY Careers, I’ve worked with thousands of professionals across Nigeria and the UK; the talent is there, but the exposure to modern tools and real-world employer expectations is missing. We don’t have a talent shortage—we have an alignment crisis.
Curbing the “Brain Drain” through Systems
With many talented Nigerians seeking greener pastures, what structural shifts are necessary to keep and attract top-tier talent locally?
Rukayat Alabi: Talent is like water—it flows toward stability and opportunity. To retain our best minds, Nigeria must go beyond rhetoric and build credible pathways for career growth. Professionals stay where they feel their efforts are rewarded and where innovation is encouraged rather than stifled.
Retention isn’t about blocking people from moving globally; it’s about making “staying” a competitive and dignified choice. This requires intentional investment in human capital, modernizing our curricula, and creating tangible incentives for businesses to invest in their employees’ long-term development.
Lessons from Global Economies
Having navigated the UK and Nigerian professional landscapes, what can we learn from more developed workforces?
Rukayat Alabi: The most successful economies treat workforce development as a collective responsibility. In the UK, there is a seamless synergy between the government, private employers, and training providers. They emphasize “transferable skills”—leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence—just as much as technical mastery. Access to mentorship and structured industry exposure can fundamentally change a career’s trajectory.
The Digital Mandate
How central are digital skills to Nigeria’s socio-economic survival?
Rukayat Alabi: They are the foundation. Every sector, from agriculture to finance, is being redefined by technology. Without inclusive digital training, we risk a wider wealth gap and total loss of global competitiveness. Digital skills should be viewed as a public good—essential and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or location.
Bridging the Gap: Diaspora and Local Collaboration
How can the government and the private sector better engage with the Nigerian diaspora?
Rukayat Alabi: We have plenty of willing stakeholders; what we lack is a central nervous system for coordination. The government needs to provide the policy framework, the private sector needs to build the talent pipelines, and the diaspora provides the global networks and exposure.
This is why I am bringing the Limitless Without Borders (LWB) conference to Lagos. After three successful years in London, I’ve seen that structured collaboration is the only way to move from one-off donations to long-term mentorship and empowerment platforms.
Resilience and the “Limitless” Mindset
How did your early life and career at GTBank influence your perspective on work?
Rukayat Alabi: My upbringing taught me that work is a responsibility to your community. Supporting my mother at her school taught me discipline and service long before I had a formal title. Later, my time in the banking sector at GTBank sharpened my understanding of structure and excellence, but it also showed me how rigid systems can sometimes limit human potential.
That contrast fueled my passion for building better pathways. Resilience isn’t just about “staying motivated”—it’s about the ability to adapt and rebuild when the plan changes. I explore these themes deeply in my book, Limitless and Thriving, which serves as a guide for anyone navigating a major transition.
Advice for the Verge of Giving Up
What is your message to young professionals who feel defeated by the current system?
Rukayat Alabi: Stop viewing change or setbacks as a sign that you are failing. Instead, see them as data. A rejection or a “failed” launch is just a signal that you need to adjust your strategy, your environment, or your skills.
The global market rewards those who treat their career as a “product” that must constantly evolve. You are not behind; you are becoming. Take ownership of your learning, stay visible, and remember that success is rarely accidental—it is the result of relentless preparation meeting opportunity.
