The Enugu Career Fair, held in Coal City, placed special emphasis on empowering physically challenged job seekers, offering them direct employment opportunities, skills training, and career development support.
The fair, which attracted thousands of young people including persons with disabilities, was organised by Jobberman Nigeria in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to connect job seekers with employers while equipping them with practical insights for career advancement.
One of the panelists, entrepreneur and visually impaired advocate, Ms. Ifeanyi Ukwueze, urged participants to view disability not as a limitation but as a challenge that could be overcome with resilience and determination.
Another participant, Ms. Nnedi Ibeke, expressed joy at the recognition given to persons with disabilities, describing her experience at the fair as “captivating.”
Speaking at the event, the Head of Youth Engagement & Learning at Jobberman Nigeria, Mr. Innih Ikhide, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with the skills and opportunities necessary to thrive in today’s labour market.
“At Jobberman, we believe talent is everywhere. Enugu has one of the highest youth populations in the country, and we came here to connect with job seekers and entrepreneurs. Our expectation is that participants left with the skills, information, and opportunities they need to kick-start their careers,” Ikhide said.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Francis Uka, General Manager of 100.3 Udoka FM and Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Enugu Chapter, urged youths to combine technical expertise with soft skills, adaptability, and entrepreneurial thinking.
“We live in a digital world, and youths must leverage the internet, technology, and artificial intelligence. Oftentimes, it’s not just the most competent person that gets the opportunity, but the one who can effectively communicate their competence,” Uka stressed.
In a goodwill message, the State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Chuks Umunna, highlighted government support for initiatives that promote inclusive employment and entrepreneurship.
“We have employability training and skills centres across the state. I encourage youths to register with us and make use of our job centres. What I have witnessed here is impressive, and we look forward to partnering with Jobberman,” he said.
A key highlight of the fair was a panel session where experts shared strategies for navigating the workforce, followed by a job-matching session that gave participants the opportunity to interview directly with employers. Several job seekers secured employment offers on the spot, underscoring the fair’s impact.
In addition, a trade fair spotlighted young entrepreneurs who had completed Jobberman’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business Course, providing them with a platform to showcase their products and network with potential customers.
Participants described the event as life-changing. One job seeker, Mr. Davison Tor, said: “The Career Fair gave me my first real chance to connect directly with employers. I didn’t just submit my CV—I walked away with a job offer. This is a life-changing opportunity.”
