Lagos, Nigeria — At the first-ever Digital Professional Fair 2025, the message to Nigeria’s youth was unambiguous: in the 21st century, mastery of digital tools is not just an advantage — it’s the currency of relevance in the global marketplace.
Held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, the two-day fair brought together industry leaders, innovators, and legal experts to bridge what organisers called “Nigeria’s digital readiness gap.” From branding and entrepreneurship to legal literacy and artificial intelligence, the conversations circled back to one core truth — young Nigerians must be ready to compete beyond the nation’s borders.
Building Slow, Growing Strong
For Jude Chikezie, founder of skincare brand Oyster Skin, the rise of his company wasn’t powered by luck, but by what he calls “the three Ps” — patience, process, and purpose. He urged young entrepreneurs to resist the temptation of rushing for investors before building something tangible.
“Too many brilliant ideas collapse midway because the founders want instant acceleration,” Chikezie warned. “Grow your brand slowly, invest in quality, and by the time you approach investors, you’ll already have something worth funding.”
The Legal Minefield
Legal practitioner Oluwatosin Adegbesan issued a stern caution to entrepreneurs: in the digital economy, ignorance of legal obligations can be fatal. She cited cases where promising partnerships fell apart simply because the founders signed contracts without understanding the fine print.
“If you’re unsure, consult a lawyer. A single overlooked clause can cost you your company,” she said.
Beyond Skills — Building Systems and Strategy
Speakers also challenged attendees to think beyond raw skills. Hassanant Abubakar, founder of Fuse Variety, outlined her “four pillars of digital growth” — skill, systems, structure, and strategy — warning that technical talent without business discipline rarely survives in competitive markets.
Meanwhile, digital strategist Amarachi Ogbonna urged participants to embrace both freelancing and corporate roles as complementary forces shaping Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture
Event organiser Tutu Adetunbi said the fair wasn’t just about networking — it was about national economic resilience. “If we want Nigeria’s digital economy to thrive, our young people must lead it. This is about preparing a workforce for a borderless future,” she said.
From AI adoption, championed by Hafrikplay CEO Omobosola Alaka, to the call for government collaboration in scaling such events, the fair painted a picture of a future where Nigeria’s youth are not just job seekers, but job creators on a global scale.
The Digital Professional Fair 2025 closed on a forward-looking note: success in the digital era belongs to those willing to combine creativity with structure, passion with patience, and innovation with informed decision-making.
