Feb. 23, 2026
4 min read
Last year, we published a piece titled Top 5 In Demand Tech Skills in 2025 (And How Much You Can Earn With Them) where we broke down the most valuable skills in tech at the time and what professionals were earning. If you missed it, you can read it here: Top 5 In-Demand Tech Skills In 2025 (And How Much You Can Earn With Them)
It has only been a year, but in tech, one year can change everything. Tools evolve. Hiring expectations tighten. Some roles expand. Others become more specialised. Companies are no longer experimenting with emerging technologies. They are building serious systems around them.
So this is not a dramatic rewrite. It is an honest update. A look at what has shifted, what has matured, and what is genuinely paying well in 2026, especially for Nigerians working locally or remotely.
If you are planning your next move in tech, this will help you see where the real demand sits right now.
1. AI and Machine Learning Engineering
AI is no longer hype. It is infrastructure.
Businesses are embedding AI into customer support systems, fraud detection tools, internal analytics, and product features. Companies want engineers who can move beyond theory and build real, deployable systems.
You will need strong Python skills. You will likely work with frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch. More importantly, you must understand how to solve business problems with data, not just train models.
Salary snapshot: $4,000 to $120,000 per year
Engineers who can deploy production ready AI systems remain among the highest paid in tech.
2. Cloud and DevOps Engineering
In 2025, cloud skills were important. In 2026, they are expected.
Every serious product runs in the cloud. Cloud engineers design infrastructure on platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. DevOps engineers ensure updates ship smoothly and systems stay stable under pressure.
You are the reason an app survives heavy traffic. You automate processes. You reduce errors. You improve reliability.
Salary snapshot: $2,500 to $95,000 per year
Companies are now looking for deeper expertise, not just certification level familiarity.
3. Cybersecurity Engineering
As systems grow more complex, security risks grow with them.
Organizations cannot afford breaches. Beyond reputation damage, there are regulatory penalties and financial loss. That is why cybersecurity professionals remain in strong demand.
This role goes beyond installing tools. You design secure architectures. You monitor threats. You respond to incidents. You think like an attacker so you can defend strategically.
Salary snapshot: $3,000 to $90,000 per year
The talent shortage in cybersecurity is still very real, which keeps compensation competitive.
4. Data Science and Analytics
Last year we said data was everywhere. That has not changed. What has changed is expectation.
Leaders now want clarity and prediction, not just dashboards. Data professionals who can move from reporting to decision making are the ones earning more.
You will likely use SQL, Python, and visualisation tools. But your real value comes from how you interpret numbers and communicate insight.
Salary snapshot: $3,000 to $85,000 per year
Those who combine technical skill with business understanding tend to earn significantly more over time.
5. Full Stack Software Engineering
Despite the rise of AI tools, developers are not disappearing.
In fact, companies now expect engineers who can work alongside AI tools and build faster, smarter systems. Full stack developers who can handle both front end and back end remain highly valuable.
You might work with React, Node, Python, and database systems that power real applications. The ability to take a product idea from concept to working solution is still powerful.
Salary snapshot: $2,000 to $90,000 per year
It remains one of the most practical and flexible entry points into tech.
How to Choose What to Learn
If you read the 2025 version and you are back again this year, you will notice something interesting. The categories have not changed drastically. The depth has.
Companies want stronger execution. They want people who can build real systems, not just complete online tutorials.
Ask yourself what kind of problems you enjoy solving.
If you love patterns and intelligence, AI or data may fit.
If you enjoy building stable systems, cloud engineering makes sense.
If you think defensively and strategically, cybersecurity is solid.
If you enjoy building products people use daily, full stack development is strong.
Focus on competence. The income follows mastery.
Final Thoughts
One year does not sound like much. But in tech, it changes expectations quickly.
The demand in 2026 is not driven by hype. It is driven by business need. Companies are paying for people who can build, secure, scale, and interpret technology properly.
If you are serious about positioning yourself well this year, choose your lane and go deep. The opportunities are real, especially for Nigerians willing to build global level skills.
We will be watching how it evolves again next year.
Until next time!
Ciao!