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Report Advises Employers to Adopt Flexible Workforce Management

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flexibility currency of work life flexible workforce management

By Dipo Olowookere

A new report from Ericsson has recommended the adoption of digitalisation and flexible workforce management to get the best out of their employees.

In the report titled Future of Work Life and obtained by Business Post, the firm disclosed that about 48 per cent of “the employees in the study say that they enjoy increased flexibility at work,” while 52 per cent consider flexible work hours or locations as key requirements, with 25 per cent saying that flexibility remains the top priority if they would start to look for a new job.

The survey concluded that it observed that employees consider doing work as more important than “going to work.”

The workplace was disrupted in 2020 by COVID-19, which forced many organisations to close their physical offices, with employees working remotely because of the lockdown imposed by governments across the globe.

The report by Ericsson Consumer & IndustryLab examined how employees and employers navigate the current work environment and their views on the future of work shaped by the pandemic, digitalization and the fluctuating labour market.

It was discovered that for effectiveness, employers need to embrace digitalization and flexible workforce management by creating a workplace of the future that supports human collaboration, simplifies work and values employee input in decision-making.

“Based on our research, it is quite clear that the future of work is going to be increasingly dependent on ICT solutions such as high-speed, globally available mobile connectivity.

“We felt the pandemic could finally be seen in the rear-view mirror, and therefore wanted to take a closer look at what changes in people’s work life had stuck and what was only a temporary adjustment!

“My favourite takeaway is that remote work is clearly here to stay – maybe not exactly at the level as was measured during the pandemic, but still at significantly higher levels than before the pandemic,” the Head of Ericsson IndustryLab, Anders Erlandsson, stated.

Also, the Head of Ericsson ConsumerLab, Jasmeet Singh Sethi, while commenting on the report, said, “Amidst the rapid digitalization brought on by the pandemic, our research highlights a concerning gap between the technology available in the workplace and the needs of employees for flexible working.

“With 6 in 10 companies lacking relevant technology for their staff and just 2 in 10 employees feeling they have relevant tools at the workplace, there is a pressing need for organizations to invest in digital tools and robust connectivity that enable remote collaboration and flexibility, not only to attract and retain top talent but also to stay competitive in the post-pandemic world.”

Business Post gathered that the research was carried out during 2022 within 30 markets globally; 38,000 online surveys of employees plus 3,600 online surveys of decision-makers and 11 in-depth interviews with decision-makers from selected industries within three markets; China, Spain and the US.

The key findings were flexibility is the new work-life currency, digital technologies renew employee confidence, decision-makers and employees are increasingly at odds over technology, flexible workplaces may come at the cost of increased surveillance, and globalized labour markets bring talent and concerns to employers.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Jobs/Appointments

Abdallah Simba to Lead Japan Tobacco International’s Nigerian Operations

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Abdallah Simba

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Mr Abdallah Simba has been chosen to lead the operations of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Nigeria effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, succeeding Mr Thomas Adams, who has led the Nigerian business successfully over the past four years.

The new General Manager of the organisation in Nigeria recently served as the Country Manager for Slovakia, where he successfully led profitable multicategory growth and operational strengthening, positioning the business for long-term sustainability.

A statement from the tobacco firm said Mr Simba’s appointment underscores its commitment and ambition to deepen its footprint in the Nigerian market.

“I am delighted to lead JTI Nigeria at this time. Nigeria is an important market with tremendous potential, and I look forward to working with the amazing team here to continue to grow our business in a sustainable manner,” Mr Simba said of his new role.

Mr Simba brings nearly two decades of commercial and strategic leadership experience to the role, having held key positions across multiple markets and at JTI’s global headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

He joined JTI in Tanzania in 2005 in Marketing before taking on an international assignment in Ireland in 2009. He later transitioned into broader commercial roles, leading various Sales and Trade Marketing capabilities with increasing responsibility.

In 2013, Mr Simba moved to JTI’s global headquarters in Geneva, where he progressed into senior roles within the Global Commercial Strategy function.

In these roles, he led the optimization of business models, guided market strategies, and up-skilled commercial teams across a wide range of markets.

The new General Manager for Nigeria holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern New Hampshire University in International Business.

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Stakeholders See Nigeria’s Outsourcing Industry Exceeding $1.8bn by 2028

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SeamlessHR AOPN Nigeria's Outsourcing Industry

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The outsourcing industry in Nigeria could grow more than $1.8 billion by 2028 from the $980 million it recorded in 2023, stakeholders in the sector have projected.

However, despite recording an impressive annual growth rate of 12.56 per cent, the sector is weighed down by financial inefficiencies.

This was one of the reasons critical players in the landscape brainstormed recently in Lagos to on payroll solutions for sustainable growth.

The gathering was called by a leading human resource and payroll technology company, SeamlessHR, in partnership with the Association of Outsourcing Professionals of Nigeria (AOPN).

More than 30 chief executives of Nigeria’s top outsourcing companies gathered at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, for the event themed Enhance Business Efficiency Through Automation and Immersive Workflows.

They agreed that thin margins, inconsistent client payments, and outdated payroll systems have created conditions where salary delays are frequent and talent attrition is on the rise.

Across the industry, many workers now view delayed wage disbursements as normal, with employees often waiting weeks or even months to be paid. For outsourcing firms, the consequences extend beyond cash flow.

Delayed salaries damage brand perception, undermine operational efficiency, and threaten long-term growth. The urgency for innovation in payroll and financial operations has never been greater.

Another key focus of the discussion was the transformative impact of SeamlessHR’s Embedded FInance for employers and employees.

SeamlessHR’s solution enables workers to access earned wages on-demand, bypassing the traditional pay cycle. Through seamless integration with payroll systems, employees can withdraw accrued earnings in real-time to address emergencies or manage cash flow gaps.

Additionally, low-interest salary advances and built-in financial tools empower staff to avoid exploitative lenders and plan their finances with confidence.

“Outsourcing companies face daily liquidity issues, irregular cash flow, and growing payroll obligations.

“SeamlessHR’s Embedded Finance closes that gap by integrating capital into the payroll system to ensure people get paid on time, operations run seamlessly, and CEOs sleep better at night.

“When employees no longer stress about delayed salaries, their engagement and output improves dramatically,” the Director of Embedded Finance at SeamlessHR, Oke Egbi, stated.

Also commenting, the president of AOPN, Mope Abudu, said, “This roundtable addresses a critical challenge in our industry. As key contributors to Nigeria’s economy, we cannot afford to be left behind in the wave of digital transformation shaping the future of work.

“The outsourcing sector must lead in efficiency and innovation, and the integration of intelligent systems that support workforce management.

“Today’s theme speaks directly to that need. By exploring solutions like embedded finance, we open new opportunities to enhance value delivery and improve operational efficiency across our industry. I extend my gratitude to SeamlessHR for bringing this event to life.”

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Ireti Samuel-Ogbu to Head Africa Finance Corporation Board

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Ireti Samuel-Ogbu

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has appointed Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as the Chairman of its board of Directors, succeeding Mr Emeka Emuwa, who completed his 12 years of service to the financer.

She brings over three decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry across Nigeria, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Mrs Samuel-Ogbu has extensive boardroom experience, including Citibank Nigeria, where she was a Non-Executive Director for six years and Chair of the Risk Committee prior to becoming the Managing Director.

She also served on the board of CHAPS Clearing UK, the high-value payment system now operated by the Bank of England and a UK-based charity, Opportunity International.

Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to the advancement of Africa make her an asset to AFC at a time when the corporation is more committed than ever to accelerating Africa’s transformation through bold investments, innovative financing models and catalytic partnerships.

Her international career within Citibank included senior leadership roles across over 50 countries in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, during which time she worked in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Speaking on the appointment, Mr Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of the Board. Her wealth of experience, visionary leadership and deep understanding of Africa’s financial landscape will be invaluable as we navigate our next phase of growth- expanding our impact, mobilising urgently needed capital and delivering transformative projects that enable inclusive and sustainable prosperity across the continent.”

Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu commented: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at AFC, an institution that serves as a trusted bridge between international capital and Africa’s dynamic growth opportunities.

“I look forward to working closely with the board, management, and all stakeholders to advance the Corporation’s mission and strengthen its role as the leading provider of strategic, investment-driven solutions that unlock Africa’s full economic potential.”

Established in 2007, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), is the continent’s leading instrumental infrastructure solutions provider, supporting significant infrastructural and sectoral projects that can enhance the productivity and competitiveness of African economies. It achieved a total increase of $1.1 billion in its 2024 financial year performance, a 22.8 per cent increase from the previous financial year.

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