Aspiring creatives, employers, industry leaders, and government representatives recently gathered at the Jobberman Lagos Career Fair to unlock career pathways in Nigeria’s burgeoning creative sector.

The fair, tagged the Creative Economy edition, was held at the Daystar Christian Centre, where over 1,600 young Nigerians attended.

The event, organised by Jobberman Nigeria in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, featured masterclasses, panel discussions, fireside chats, on-the-spot interviews, and networking opportunities designed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity in the creative economy.

The Head of Programmes, Jobberman Nigeria, Olamide Adeyeye, emphasised the transformative potential of the event.

He said: “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. Our goal at Jobberman is simple yet profound: to connect talent with opportunity and transform potential into prosperity. This fair stands as a testament to that mission.”

Adeyeye highlighted that Nigeria’s creative economy is already a $4.7 billion sector, growing rapidly, yet many young creatives still face barriers to penetrating.

“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 added.

Founder of Joy Inc. and host, WithChude, Chude Jideonwo, spoke about innovation and creativity as catalysts for opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving economy.

He sets the tone for a day filled with practical insights and inspirational storytelling from industry leaders who have successfully navigated the creative landscape.

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos State, Mobolaji Ogunlende, underscored the government’s commitment to youth empowerment.

“Giving youths the 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.

The fair featured a robust panel discussion moderated by JayOnAir, with industry experts.

The panellists engaged in discussions about innovation and creativity as catalysts for opportunities, sharing personal experiences and offering guidance on navigating Nigeria’s creative industries.

At the job fair, over 90 employers set up recruitment booths, conducting on-the-spot interviews.

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 attend the event.

Also, six finalists from the ‘Pitch Yourself in 30 Seconds’ online contest got a shot at being interviewed by a wide range of human resource personnel and employers, with the opportunity to get hired on the spot.

The contest, which had generated significant buzz in the build-up to the fair, showcased young Nigerians’ ability to articulate their value propositions concisely and compellingly.

One of the finalists, Ndu Onyinyechi Grace, caught the attention of a top employer at the fair, and she eventually got a placement.

Head of Marketing at Jobberman Nigeria, Babajide Anjorin, 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 Nigerian youths 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.