In a bold move to curb unemployment and empower the next generation, the West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and King’s Trust Fund, has encouraged young Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship and essential employability skills.
This call was made during the recent “Get Hired” recruitment fair, which brought together over 150 job seekers and 20 employers, marking the conclusion of an intensive four-week employability training program designed to prepare youth for the real world of work.
The initiative is part of a broader Lagos State mission to empower 2,000 youths aged 18 to 35 by 2027, focusing on practical, hands-on learning that goes beyond what traditional education offers.
Tayelolu Owadokun, Lead of the Recruitment Team at WAVE, shared the motivation behind the programme:
“We launched this in partnership with LSETF and KTI to address Nigeria’s high unemployment rate. Many graduates lack basic but vital job-readiness skills—like writing a professional CV, answering interview questions, or confidently presenting themselves to employers. That’s what we focus on.”
Owadokun added that beyond employability, the programme also equips participants with entrepreneurial training, providing an alternative pathway for those unable to find formal employment immediately.
“We started with over 300 participants. Today, over 150 of them are at this fair. Only those who completed our WhatsApp training and empowerment day sessions were invited—we were very firm about discipline and commitment,” she noted.
Oyindamola Egbeyemi, Director of Programmes and Coordination at LSETF, described the fair as a major milestone in the project.
“This job fair is where everything comes together. Employers with vacancies meet candidates ready to work—some may even walk away with job offers today. But it’s not just about training—we assess applicants through a rigorous screening process and track post-training outcomes to measure real impact.”
She added that the program’s success isn’t judged by numbers alone:
“We follow up three months after training to assess how participants are doing. That’s how we know if the program is truly effective.”
Real Stories, Real Impact
One of the beneficiaries, Adeola Kareem, reflected on how the experience changed her perspective:
“School was all theory, but this was 100% practical. They taught us CV writing, interview skills, and how to present ourselves professionally. It gave us the confidence we lacked and showed us that soft skills matter even more than our certificates.”
Another participant, Solomon Iregbeyen, now a business development executive, called the programme life-changing:
“We learned about emotional intelligence, workplace behavior, professionalism, and confidence. I also got to connect with brilliant facilitators and peers. The breakout sessions, meals, and learning environment were top-tier. I hope many more young Nigerians get this opportunity.”
This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to drive youth empowerment in Lagos. Just last year, LSETF and the United States African Development Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening youth employment and entrepreneurship development in the state.
With continued investment in skills development and youth empowerment, programs like this are giving young Nigerians not just jobs—but a fighting chance to build sustainable careers and create their own economic paths.
