By Peace Udugba
The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), with support from the Skills Development for Youth Employment Programme (SKYE II) implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German and Swiss governments, has successfully hosted the Career Expo 2026 in Lagos.
The event, held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Maryland, Lagos, brought together over 300 participants and 29 employers in a full-day programme designed to connect skilled young people directly with employment opportunities.
Participants included trained youths aged 18 to 40, comprising recent graduates, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, and job seekers who had completed training under the Employability Support Project implemented by LSETF as part of the SKYE II programme.
Employers at the expo represented sectors such as technology, finance, creative industries, consulting, logistics, customer service, and business support services, creating a vibrant platform for recruitment, networking, and career advancement.
The venue was filled to capacity as participants arrived with copies of their CVs, eager to explore job opportunities and interact with potential employers. Panel discussions also featured engaging conversations on career growth, employability, and workplace readiness, with participants describing the sessions as insightful and impactful.
Throughout the event, attendees participated in interviews, career conversations, CV reviews, employer engagement sessions, and networking opportunities aimed at bridging the gap between training and employment. Several employers conducted on-the-spot interviews, while many participants reportedly received callback confirmations, internship placements, and progression into advanced recruitment stages.
The Career Expo comes shortly after the German-Nigerian Business Day held on May 11, which brought together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas including energy, technology, and skills development.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Feyisayo Alayande, said the initiative was designed to move beyond training by directly connecting young people with employers.
“Today is proof that training alone is not enough. What young people need is the room where employers are sitting, where conversations happen, and where careers begin. That is what we have built today,” Alayande said.
Also speaking, Svjetlana Djokic, Programme Component Manager at the Skills Development for Youth Employment Programme (SKYE II), GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the partnership aims to equip young people with skills that align with labour market demands while connecting them with meaningful employment opportunities.
“Our shared goal is straightforward: to ensure that young people in Lagos State are equipped with job skills relevant to labour market needs and are connected with meaningful employment opportunities,” Djokic said.
Founder of The Talent Pipeline Company, Nwanne Nwonwu, commended the organisers for creating a platform that allowed employers to engage directly with job seekers and identify emerging talent.
“I would like to commend the organisers for putting together an impactful and well-timed career forum. It was valuable engaging with diverse job seekers, especially youth corps members beginning their professional journeys, while also identifying potential talent for our clients,” Nwonwu stated.
LSETF said the Career Expo 2026 marks another milestone in its collaboration with GIZ to advance youth employment and economic inclusion in Lagos State.
According to the organisers, the Employability Support Project has so far supported more than 1,500 youths across Lagos, including women, persons with disabilities, job seekers, and entrepreneurs, through employability training, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, workplace readiness programmes, and industry engagement initiatives.
The organisers added that the expo demonstrates the impact of strategic partnerships in addressing youth unemployment and creating sustainable economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
