Connecting job seekers to employers vital to Nigeria’s labour market, economic development – Jobberman

The productive connection between job creators and job seekers has been identified as a vital factor in Nigeria’s labour and economic development.

The Country Head of Programmes, Jobberman Nigeria, Olamide Adeyeye, speaking on Friday during the Ibadan Career Fair organised by Jobberman Nigeria in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, said that the event aimed at exposing youths, job seekers, and young career professionals to the right information, skills, and tools that would enable them to properly navigate the labour market and the corporate world.

Adeyeye disclosed that Jobberman Nigeria has been in the partnership of training and equipping millions of Nigerian youths and job seekers for six years, and is committed to seeing more people getting the right jobs, more employers trusting their employees more, and the economy becoming more sustainable.

“The right partnership, including strategic government policies, is vital to making the Nigerian labour market attractive and productive, which will, in turn, reduce unemployment and also reduce the strain on the economy.”

The keynote speaker, Olugbenga Omojola, speaking on ‘Unlocking inclusive opportunities for talent and thriving enterprise,’ stated that the Nigerian labour market was resilient and full of opportunities, but the opportunities do not respond to availability, rather to intentional readiness.

Omojola emphasised that the gap was no longer between education and employment, but between knowledge and creative application of knowledge.

Noting that what drives employability is knowledge, skills, and attitude, he added, “Employers that will fare well in today’s fast-evolving business world are those who invest in people, build excellent work culture, and prioritise inclusion.”

According to Omojola, the three major things to do to unlock job and business opportunities are knowledge of market trends, intentional positioning, and proactive engagement with professionals and recruiters.

The Director of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Oke Paul Adegboye, commended Jobberman Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation for the career fair, while itemising the progress the government has made in providing jobs for the youths of Oyo State.

The event featured a lot of useful sessions and provisions. There were interactive panel sessions, fire-side chats, business pitches, employers’ showcase sessions, as well as fun and entertainment sessions. More importantly, nursing mothers were provided a nursery to ensure they are not left out. There were also special provisions for Persons With Disability to partake in every part of the event with Sign Language Interpreters present and accessibility ramps provided.

Participants at the career fair shared positive feedback on the experience, highlighting the value of the sessions and activities. Princess Franklin expressed her enthusiasm for the panel discussions and speed pitch sessions, noting that the insights provided, particularly on how to make CVs stand out to recruiters, were both practical and impactful. She also described the speed pitch competition as a standout feature of the event.

Similarly, Kadijat Bakare spoke on the event’s impact, emphasising how it broadened her understanding of the world of work and exposed her to new perspectives on career development. The event also provided a platform for many participants to pitch their business ideas, further reinforcing its role in fostering innovation and opportunity.

Every activity was a reflection of the continued commitment of Jobberman Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation in bridging the talent gap and contributing meaningfully to the ever-changing world of work.