Global tech job cuts may exceed 235,000 by year end

…Nigeria ramps up digital training for local talent

The global technology industry is undergoing one of its most turbulent years in decades, with more than 166,000 jobs lost since January 2025. Analysts said the mass layoffs are being driven by rising interest rates, slowing global growth and investor demands for profitability over expansion. If the current pace continues, total job losses could exceed 235,000 by year-end, according to a new analysis by RationalFX.

The report, which drew on figures from TrueUp, TechCrunch and U.S. state WARN databases, showed that American firms are bearing the brunt of the contraction. U.S. companies alone have cut more than 118,000 jobs around 71 per cent of the global total, as Silicon Valley giants restructure for leaner operations.

Intel has emerged as the single largest reducer, with plans to slash more than 30,000 roles this year as it reduces its workforce from about 109,000 at the end of 2024 to 75,000 by the close of 2025. Microsoft has laid off more than 19,000 staff, while Meta, Amazon and Alphabet have each trimmed thousands of positions across business units.

Beyond the United States, India’s Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced 12,000 job cuts as it pivots to automation and AI-enabled services, contributing to more than 17,000 layoffs nationwide. In Japan, Panasonic has announced a four per cent reduction in its workforce, amounting to 10,000 roles, while Switzerland’s STMicroelectronics is implementing a plan to shed 5,000 positions over three years after an initial 3,000 cuts earlier this year.

Economists warned that the restructuring reflected more than just short-term turbulence. With central banks holding interest rates high to tame inflation, the era of cheap financing that once fueled a tech hiring boom has ended. Routine roles in customer support, IT services and back-office functions are being permanently displaced by automation and artificial intelligence, leaving workers to either reskill or exit the sector altogether.

While the global picture is dominated by contraction, Nigeria is working to build resilience through skills development and digital literacy. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) recently trained 3,600 teachers nationwide under its flagship Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme, a strategic initiative aimed at preparing the workforce for a knowledge-driven economy.

The Abuja phase of the training, which commenced on September 18, brought together educators from all 36 states and the FCT for hands-on digital literacy sessions. Implemented in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), the programme focuses on equipping teachers with practical digital skills and empowering selected participants as Master Trainers. These Master Trainers are expected to cascade their knowledge to thousands more teachers within their communities, creating a multiplier effect across the country.

Participants described the programme as transformative. “This training has broadened my understanding of digital applications in the classroom and will enhance how I support colleagues and influence my students,” said Tanko Abdulkareem, a teacher from Kuje Area Council. Others noted that digital literacy is no longer optional, but a necessity for effective teaching and learning in the 21st century.

Industry watchers said such initiatives are critical for Nigeria as the global tech industry undergoes restructuring. By prioritizing capacity building, the country is not only preparing its citizens to adapt to changing job markets but also positioning itself to seize new opportunities in areas like AI, cloud services and digital education.

For now, however, the global tech sector remains under strain. With nearly a quarter of a million jobs potentially on the line before the end of 2025, the industry is caught between the immediate demands of economic survival and the long-term imperative of innovation.