In a bid to reduce the rate of youth unemployment in Lagos State, King’s Trust International has partnered with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to organise the Get Hired Recruitment Fair.

The event was held recently in Lagos and aimed to connect job-ready graduates to employers across various sectors.

The initiative, implemented by West African Vocational Education, targets unemployed graduates by equipping them with essential soft skills, workplace behaviour, and practical tools needed to succeed in today’s job market.

The Country Manager for Nigeria at King’s Trust International, Damilola Sotuminu,  said, “Unemployment remains a major challenge, especially in Nigeria. Our goal is to provide young people with the right skills while connecting employers to qualified talent.”

The recruitment fair attracted 22 employer partners, including Spurt, Edumark, Chow Noodles Bar, Ayoola Foods, and Alara Lagos.

Also, the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Feyisayo Alayande, emphasised the importance of the collaboration, adding that “This partnership strengthens our commitment to tackling unemployment in Lagos State by connecting young people directly with employers and expanding access to economic opportunities,” she said.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate stood at 4.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2023, but underemployment remains a serious concern, with many youths unable to secure meaningful work due to a lack of job-ready skills.

Additionally, the Program Lead for the Get Hired project at WAVE, Christian Adegor, noted, “Many jobs are available, but employers often struggle to find candidates with the right soft skills. This initiative bridges that gap by preparing graduates to meet workplace expectations.”