HumanManager, a leading HR and payroll technology company powering workforce operations across Africa, has reaffirmed its commitment to developing Nigeria’s future workforce through the 2026 edition of its NextGen HR Initiative, a capacity development programme designed to equip future HR professionals with practical digital skills. Held recently at the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG), the event exposed participants to hands-on training using HumanManager’s HR software, bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace practice.
Now in its third consecutive year at the University of Lagos, the initiative was delivered under the theme, “HR in a Digital-First World: From HR Theory to Digital Practice.” Through practical simulations and live demonstrations, participants explored digital HR workflows, automation, employee data management, leave administration, attendance management, reporting, compliance and other technology-driven processes that are transforming how organisations manage their workforce.
Speaking during the programme, Jerry Adeyeri, lead, brands & marketing at HumanManager Limited, said the initiative showcases the company’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce while giving back to society through meaningful corporate social responsibility.
“The world of work is changing rapidly, and today’s HR professionals need more than theoretical knowledge. They must understand the digital systems that power modern organisations. Through the HumanManager NextGen HR Initiative, we are bridging the gap between what students learn in the classroom and what they will encounter in the workplace by giving them practical exposure to HR technology. Ultimately, this is our way of investing in society, strengthening Nigeria’s talent pipeline and helping young professionals graduate with the skills employers increasingly expect,” he noted.
Throughout the interactive workshop, students explored how technology is transforming modern human resource management through live demonstrations of HumanManager’s HR platform. Commending the initiative, Mariam Gbagumo-Sheriff, senior lecturer, Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, described HumanManager as a dependable industry partner whose sustained commitment has significantly enriched students’ learning experience.
“HumanManager has supported this practical training for several years, and it has been invaluable. Teaching Human Resource Information Systems without access to a live platform would be extremely difficult because students need practical experience, not just theory. What stands out is the consistency of the partnership. This year, HumanManager reached out to us before we even made contact, demonstrating a genuine commitment to preparing our students for the realities of the workplace. Our students consistently provide positive feedback after every session, and experiences like these make their transition into the workplace much easier,” She acknowledged.
Sharing his experience, Ayeni Damilare, a 300-Level student and class governor, said the programme transformed his understanding of modern HR practice, noting that: “The session completely changed my perception of HR. We experienced practical functions such as leave management, reporting and auditing on a live platform, showing us how technology simplifies HR operations. It gave us a clearer understanding of how HR works in the real world and the skills we will need, whether we build our own businesses or work within established organisations.”
Temitope Obidike, products lead at HumanManager, also shared insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping HR technology. She noted that the company is “actively exploring AI capabilities across recruitment, employee database management and payroll processing through strategic partnerships and in-house innovation, ensuring it continues to evolve in line with global AI trends while delivering greater value to organisations and HR professionals.”
As organisations increasingly embrace automation, artificial intelligence and digital workforce management, initiatives such as this are helping ensure that tomorrow’s HR professionals graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical workplace competence. Through sustained collaboration with academic institutions, HumanManager continues to contribute to a future-ready workforce while advancing the adoption of modern HR technology across Africa.
