As AI tools become widespread, debates have emerged on whether starting a coding career now is prudent. Or not.
A spirited debate recently swept through tech circles on social media: Is learning to code in 2025 to get a job in tech still a wise decision? On one side, some argue that the traditional software developer career path is shrinking (especially for newcomers) due to factors like artificial intelligence (AI) and a saturated job market.
On the other side, proponents counter that software engineering skills are still in high demand (including in Nigeria/Africa’s growing tech ecosystem) and that AI is an assistant, not a replacement. This article explores both points of view in depth, backed by facts and context, to help aspiring coders or career switchers make sense of this opinion-heavy debate.
POV 1 – Why Some Say “Learning to Code in 2025” Isn’t Wise
Slowing Tech Job Market Globally
After decades of expansion, the software developer job market has shown signs of cooling off in recent years. Notably, a 2024 analysis found that the U.S. employed fewer software developers in early 2024 than it did in 2018. Tech layoffs since 2022 have contributed to this shift, with many large firms reducing the size of their engineering teams.
By 2023/24, global job postings for software developers had plummeted to a five-year low. This means increased competition for fewer roles, as a wave of laid-off experienced engineers re-enter the job market. In short, the “hiring boom” of the late 2010s and pandemic years has tapered off, making entry-level developer jobs harder to land than a few years ago.
Impact of AI on Entry-Level Roles
A major reason cited for caution is the rapid rise of AI coding assistants (like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT), which can automate many routine programming tasks.
Industry leaders predict that as AI gets better at writing code, companies will hire fewer junior developers and interns. Development teams might shrink to a handful of senior engineers who oversee AI-generated code. In fact, a CIO article bluntly forecast that “junior software developers will be the first to go” as AI takes over basic coding work. The concern is that tasks traditionally done by entry-level coders – writing boilerplate code, simple debugging, building CRUD apps – can now be partially handled by AI, making those junior positions less necessary.
Indeed, a recent report on outsourcing in Nigeria noted that “the introduction of AI is eroding opportunities, particularly for junior talent”. Bots and AI tools are increasingly able to handle labor-intensive tech tasks like basic coding or simple customer support, which were historically entry-level jobs often outsourced to countries like Nigeria. Aspiring developers who only have “basic” coding skills may find it tougher to stand out when companies can just leverage AI for those same basic tasks.
“Vibe Coding” vs. Core Engineering Skills
Related to the AI point is the emergence of so-called “vibe coding.” This refers to churning out apps or prototypes quickly using AI assistance or no-code tools; essentially, coding by improvisation and “vibes” rather than deep software engineering expertise.
Some in the debate argue that many beginners are building toy projects with AI’s help and declaring that traditional software engineering is no longer needed. Critics of this trend point out that no fundamental, widely-used app today was built by pure “vibe coding.” In practice, serious applications (social media platforms, banking systems, etc.) require rigorous engineering and maintenance. Industry analyses warn that relying on AI-generated code without human oversight can lead to spaghetti code and security vulnerabilities. One report noted that AI-produced code, if taken at face value, is often “full of security holes” and lacks the structure and clarity needed for long-term maintenance. Even proponents of AI coding tools advise against deploying raw, “vibe-coded” output to production without extensive human review and testing.
In short, the opinion here is that if one learns to code only superficially (leaning on AI for quick fixes), they won’t be equipped for a true engineering career and employers know this. This viewpoint suggests it’s “not wise” to start a coding career in 2025 unless you’re committed to learning solid fundamentals beyond what AI can easily do.
Increased Competition and Skill Barriers
Another factor is the sheer number of people already learning to code. Over the past decade, coding bootcamps, online courses, and government programs have exploded, especially in Africa. Nigeria’s government, for example, launched a program to train 3 million tech talents by 2027. Tech education startups and bootcamps are churning out tens of thousands of new developers. While building tech talent is great for the ecosystem, it also means a lot of junior developers hitting the job market at once, many with similar skill sets.
When combined with the global slowdown, this creates an oversupply at the entry level relative to demand. As Rest of World reports, Nigeria is producing a massive pool of junior tech workers at a time when worldwide hiring for junior roles is uncertain. Moreover, global tech layoffs have “flooded the market” with experienced developers willing to work remotely or for lower pay, making it even harder for a fresh coder to compete. The bar for landing a tech job is higher in 2025: companies now often prefer candidates who either have experience or can demonstrate niche skills (e.g. AI/ML, cloud, cybersecurity) beyond basic web development.
Shifting Career Advice – Build vs. Get Hired
Some proponents of this POV suggest that if you are learning to code solely to get an entry-level job in tech, you should reconsider. Instead, they argue you’d better have a different motive or plan; for instance, using coding skills to build your own startup or product. The idea is that coding as a means to an end (creating a business, solving a unique problem) could be more rewarding than coding as an end in itself (simply hoping for a corporate job).
After all, if routine coding jobs are harder to come by, creating your own opportunity might be “wiser” than chasing traditional employment. We’re seeing more self-taught developers in Africa building small startups or freelancing, rather than relying on a single employer. In other words, learning to code in 2025 might still be wise if you have an entrepreneurial mindset or you plan to specialise, but as a generic career ticket, it’s not the golden opportunity it once was.
POV 2 – Counterpoint: Coding is Still a Smart Career Move
On the flip side, many in the tech community push back on the doom-and-gloom. They maintain that software development skills remain extremely valuable in 2025, both globally and in the African tech ecosystem. Here’s why this camp believes learning to code now is still wise:
Continued (and Evolving) Demand for Developers
While it’s true the hiring market had a slow patch, it is far from dead. In fact, most forecasts still project growth in software development jobs over the coming decade. For example, in the United States alone, software developer roles are expected to grow ~17% from 2023 to 2033, adding over 300,000 new jobs; much faster than the average for other occupations.
Globally, tech spending and digital transformation are ongoing. Analysts project that global IT spending will increase by approximately 9% in 2025, driving new projects and the need for skilled talent. The key nuance is that the demand is shifting toward certain skills and levels. Companies are indeed becoming more selective and favouring developers with expertise in high-growth areas. According to industry data, today’s most in-demand roles include full-stack and back-end developers, AI/ML specialists, DevOps engineers, and other roles that help build scalable platforms or integrate AI.
In Nigeria and Africa more broadly, the tech sector is still expanding: Nigeria’s ICT industry contributes around 20% to GDP, and local startups continue to raise funds and scale. According to one estimate, tech job openings in Nigeria were on track to reach 225,000 by the end of 2025, encompassing roles in cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and other fields. Far from drying up, the tech scene in Africa is creating new opportunities, with Lagos now home to 5 of Africa’s 7 tech unicorns (billion-dollar startups).
Additionally, Africa faces a well-documented shortage of software engineers relative to demand; it’s reported that most African countries train fewer than 5,000 engineers per year, while needing ten times that number to fuel growth. This skills gap means that those who do attain strong coding abilities can still find ample opportunities, especially as companies worldwide look to tap African talent.
In summary, proponents of this POV argue that the nature of tech jobs is evolving, not vanishing. Skilled developers (especially those who adapt to new tools) are still highly sought-after; it’s the entry-level “code monkey” jobs that are fading, but more advanced and integrated roles are growing.
AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement
Yes, AI is changing software development, but it’s largely changing it for the better, in the view of this camp. Rather than completely displacing programmers, AI tools are boosting productivity and becoming part of the coder’s toolkit. Surveys show that AI coding assistants are now ubiquitous: over 97% of developers in several countries reported using AI coding tools at work.
Instead of rendering human coders obsolete, these tools help developers automate boilerplate tasks and write code faster. Importantly, developers who leverage AI effectively can focus more on high-level problem-solving. In fact, less-experienced programmers often see the biggest productivity gains from using AI assistance; meaning a newcomer today can accomplish more with Copilot/ChatGPT than they could alone. Companies have noticed this trend. Rather than not hiring juniors at all, many firms now expect new hires to be adept with AI tools. Employers are “actively seeking engineers who can integrate these tools into their daily work”, treating AI literacy as a desirable skill. Even the youngest generation of programmers now code hand-in-hand with AI, treating it like a smart colleague.
The takeaway is that learning to code in 2025 should go hand in hand with learning to use AI – those who do both will remain valuable. Far from being a wasted effort, mastering coding plus AI tools can future-proof your career. After all, someone needs to build, guide, and maintain the AI systems, and that requires coding expertise.
Quality Engineering Matters
Supporters of coding careers also highlight that AI cannot (at least for now) replace the creativity, critical thinking, and design skills of a good human developer. While basic apps can be whipped up by prompting an AI, building a robust, secure, scalable application is a different ball game. As noted earlier, blindly relying on AI code can introduce major bugs or security holes. There will always be demand for developers who understand system architecture and can verify and improve AI-generated code.
In enterprise settings, AI is a tool that still needs oversight; code doesn’t go to production without human review. Therefore, learning core software engineering principles (data structures, algorithms, clean code practices, security, etc.) is still crucial. The counter-argument to “don’t learn coding” is “learn coding properly.” The successful engineers of the AI era are those who pair fundamental skills with modern tools. In other words, companies still very much need “core engineering skills” on the team; if anything, these skills become more important to guide AI outputs and catch mistakes.
Perhaps most interesting is the fact that there doesn’t seem to be any decline in demand for his skills; in fact, demand is even higher now from companies looking to add AI features to their apps. This anecdote reflects a broader trend: organizations are racing to implement AI and automation, which requires competent developers to integrate APIs, fine-tune models, and build new products. Rather than shrinking into irrelevance, coding roles are evolving into a blend of software development and AI orchestration. For a motivated learner in 2025, that’s an exciting opportunity if you’re willing to learn continuously.
Africa’s Tech Ecosystem Needs Builders
In the Nigerian/African context specifically, there’s a strong case that learning to code is still a wise move for many. The region is still digitising rapidly – from fintech and e-commerce to edtech and healthtech – and local problems need local tech solutions.
While there is concern about oversupply at the junior level, the overall digital talent gap in Africa is still significant – an oft-cited UNESCO statistic is that Africa will need over 23 million tech professionals by 2030 to meet demand. Learning to code can position individuals to participate in this growth, whether through local employment or remote work globally.
Moreover, coding skills can open doors beyond pure software developer jobs. Many Nigerian tech workers are transitioning into product management, data analysis, and other roles where programming knowledge is a significant advantage. Even outside of traditional “tech companies,” sectors like banking, agriculture, and telecommunications in Africa are undergoing digital transformation, creating tech-centric roles.
Conclusion: Navigating a Tech Career in 2025
Both perspectives have some truth. The software careers scene in 2025 is more complex than it was a decade ago. If you are an aspiring coder or considering a career switch to the tech industry, the key is to meet it with a growth mindset and an open mind.
From POV 1, take the warning that the easy days of landing a junior dev job with minimal skills are likely over. The field is more competitive, and routine coding work will increasingly be automated. You shouldn’t learn to code just because it was a ticket to a high-paying job in the past; that motivation might not carry you through when the going gets tough. Also, if you do pursue coding, you’ll need to go beyond the basics. Focus on problem-solving skills, understanding how systems work, and possibly specialise in areas that AI can’t handle alone (e.g. complex architecture design, AI model development, cybersecurity, etc.). As the Rest of World piece highlights, “the world will still need tech workers, but fewer of those with only the basic skills to do things that AI can do” This means you should strive to bring something extra to the table; be it creative ingenuity, domain expertise, or the ability to leverage AI effectively.
From POV 2, take heart that all is not doom. Tech remains one of the most dynamic and impactful fields to work in. There are new openings and new kinds of roles popping up – many of which never existed before (AI prompt engineer, anyone?). Learning to code can still be immensely rewarding if you love technology and innovation. It can empower you to build your own solutions or collaborate on cutting-edge projects. The key is to be adaptable: embrace AI as a tool, continually learn new frameworks or paradigms, and be prepared to wear multiple hats. In 2025, a successful software engineer might write code one day, curate AI-generated code the next, and brainstorm product ideas the day after. The job is broader than “just coding,” but coding remains at the core.
In practical terms, if you’re starting now, combine coding skills with complementary skills. For example, learn programming and data science, or web development and UI/UX design, or software engineering and cloud DevOps. This makes you more versatile and better positioned in the job market. Additionally, contribute to open-source projects or build a portfolio; anything that demonstrates your ability beyond following tutorials.
Ultimately, the question “Should I learn to code in 2025?” doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your goals and how you approach it. If your goal is to land a tech job with minimal effort quickly, that path is indeed much more challenging now, and the skeptics have a point.
However, if your goal is to develop a valuable skill set, participate in the tech-driven future, and you’re willing to learn continuously, then coding is absolutely still worth it. As is the case with any career, there will be ups and downs in demand, but strong developers (especially those who evolve with the times) will remain in demand.
FAQs
Is coding still worth learning in 2025?
Yes. While routine coding roles are shrinking, developers with solid fundamentals and AI skills remain in high demand. Coding is especially valuable if you want to build your own products or enter Africa’s growing tech ecosystem.
Are coding jobs still available in Nigeria?
Yes. Nigeria’s ICT industry is expanding, and tech job openings are projected to reach 225,000 by the end of 2025 . However, competition is higher, so specialization in areas like AI, cloud, or cybersecurity helps.
How does AI affect junior developer jobs?
AI tools automate basic coding tasks, reducing entry-level opportunities . Employers now prefer developers who can combine coding fundamentals with AI-assisted workflows.
Should I learn to code for a startup or for employment?
Both paths are viable. Employment is more competitive, but coding skills can empower you to launch startups or freelance. In Nigeria, many new tech entrepreneurs are building AI-powered products.
What’s the future of coding careers in Africa?
Africa faces a digital talent shortage: most countries train fewer than 5,000 engineers annually while demand is over ten times higher . Learning to code positions you for opportunities across fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, and more.
