Follow Us on Google
By Zika Bobby
Over 1,600 young Nigerians gathered at Oregun, Ikeja, for the Jobberman Lagos Career Fair 2025, themed “Innovation and Creativity: Catalysts for Opportunities.”
This year’s Creative Economy edition brought together aspiring creatives, top employers, industry leaders and government representatives for a transformative day of learning and networking.
The fair featured masterclasses, panel discussions, fireside chats and on-the-spot interviews designed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity in Nigeria’s burgeoning creative sector. Organised by Jobberman Nigeria, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the event proved to be more than just a networking opportunity, it was a launchpad for young creatives to transform their careers.
The fair showcased the immense potential of Nigeria’s creative sector and provided a platform for young creatives to explore emerging career opportunities.
In his opening remarks, Olamide Adeyeye, country head of programmes at Jobberman Nigeria, emphasised the transformative potential of the event.
“Today, we gather not just for another event, but for a movement, one that celebrates the ingenuity, resilience and boundless potential of young Nigerians driving the creative heartbeat of our nation,” he said. “Our goal at Jobberman is simple but profound, to connect talent to opportunity, and to transform potential into prosperity. This fair stands as a testament to that mission,” he added.
Adeyeye highlighted that Nigeria’s creative economy is already a $4.7 billion sector and growing rapidly, yet many young creatives still face barriers to entry. “This fair was designed to change that by providing access to jobs, mentorship, capital, and the skills needed to thrive in the creative industries,” he stated.
The keynote address was delivered by Chude Jideonwo, host of WithChude and Founder of Joy Inc., who spoke passionately about innovation and creativity as catalysts for opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving economy. His address set the tone for a day filled with practical insights and inspirational storytelling from industry leaders who have successfully navigated the creative landscape. “Overtaking is now allowed” is one statement the media personality echoed repeatedly. The entirety of his heartfelt speech portended the idea and encouraged the audience to be authentic, take on their dreams head on and build relationships.
Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, delivered a goodwill message underscoring the government’s commitment to youth empowerment. “Giving the youths that platform to be able to compete on a global scale is essential, and of course the only way to do it bigger and better is by involving the government, which is why I’m here as your commissioner for youths,” he stated.
“When I was approached in my office about this initiative, I knew immediately that this was an opportunity we couldn’t miss. Lagos State is committed to creating an enabling environment where our young creatives can not only survive but thrive and compete globally,” he said.
The fair featured a robust panel discussion moderated by JayOnAir, with industry experts including Amanda Jaiyeola, Founder and Creative Director of Acheo Koncept and member of the Youth Alumni Council at Mastercard Foundation; Dr Bunmi Kole-Dawodu, Deputy Director at SMEDAN Lagos; Doyinsola Atanda-Obalakun, Head of HR at Prudential Zenith; Ola Cardoso, award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer; and Millie Slade, Co-Founder of Jara Beach Resort.
The panellists engaged in a lively discussion about innovation and creativity as catalysts for opportunities, sharing personal experiences and offering guidance on navigating Nigeria’s creative industries.
A major highlight of the event was when a National Youth Service Corps member, Valentine Okoh, landed a job on the spot with one of the employers despite not having planned to be at the event. “I can’t believe this is happening. I didn’t even plan to be here. We were mobilised to come here from my CDS. I decided to just talk to some employers and one of them started asking more questions. Just like that, I got a job in Operations.” He noted delightfully.
Another was when six finalists from the ‘Pitch Yourself in 30 Seconds’ online contest got a shot at being interviewed by a wide range of HR personnel and employers, with the opportunity to get hired on the spot. The contest, which had generated significant buzz in the lead-up to the fair, showcased young Nigerians’ ability to articulate their value propositions concisely and compellingly. One of the finalists, Ndu Onyinyechi Grace, particularly caught the attention of a top employer at the fair and was able to secure a placement. Expressing her joy at this life-changing opportunity, she said: “I still can’t believe this is real. When I entered that pitch contest, I did not think it would lead to this moment. Standing before those employers today, I gave it my all, and to walk away with a job offer feels like a dream come true. This is proof that opportunities like the Jobberman Career Fair can truly change lives. I’m grateful to Jobberman, the organisers, and my new employers for believing in my potential. This is just the beginning for me.”
The keynote speaker and facilitators shared powerful insights that resonated with attendees. Messages such as “You don’t have to quit your job but you have to quit playing small. Permit yourself to be presumptuous,” “Don’t network; it’s a scam. Build relationships,” “Turn your frustration into a story. Turn it into content. The world will try to make you small. Don’t shrink, expand,” and “Don’t wait for validation from people who can’t imagine the kind of future you want” echoed through the venue, inspiring participants to take bold steps towards their creative ambitions.
The event featured spotlight sessions where programme alumni and young innovators shared their journeys, including Grace Emelahor, a Jobberman alumna, event compere, and voiceover artist. Participants also benefited from Media Personality, Tomike Adeoye’s masterclass on “Monetising Your Voice: Content Creation for Influence & Income”. Concurrent workshops covered themes like building a Career in Visual Storytelling, fashion and lifestyle, skilling and mentoring, remote work opportunities, ideation to enterprise, and accessing finance for business growth, offering diverse learning experiences tailored to participants’ career goals.
The job fair zone stood out with over 90 employers ((each hiring for at least two roles) setting up recruitment booths and conducting on-the-spot interviews. The inclusive nature of the fair ensured dedicated support for marginalised groups, including women, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities, reflecting Jobberman’s commitment to creating opportunities for all young Nigerians regardless of their circumstances.
In his closing remarks, Babajide Anjorin, Head of Marketing at Jobberman Nigeria, thanked participants, partners, and employers for making the event a success. He reiterated that the Lagos Career Fair is not just an event, but a movement committed to connecting Nigeria’s youth with meaningful opportunities in the creative economy. With practical workshops, meaningful connections with employers, and insights from industry leaders, participants left the fair equipped with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate Nigeria’s dynamic creative economy and compete on a global scale.
As the event concluded, the message was clear: the future of work in Africa will not be imported, it will be imagined, designed, and built by young Nigerians who dare to turn their creativity into opportunity. The Jobberman Lagos Career Fair 2025 served as a powerful reminder that when talent meets opportunity, and when creativity is nurtured with the right support and resources, young Nigerians can achieve extraordinary things.
