NECA Drives Skills, Jobs, Inclusive Growth At 2026 Fair

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has announced the NECA Workforce Job & Employability Fair 2026, scheduled for Wednesday, 13th – Thursday, 14th May 2026 at NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos, with the first day held virtually.

Themed “Empowering Talents, Building Skills and Driving Inclusive Growth,” the Fair is designed to equip job seekers with interview-ready skills and prepare them for meaningful engagement with employers, while providing a strategic platform for employers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders to engage on emerging digital trends, skills development, and career opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving labour market.

Speaking from Geneva, the Director-General, Mr. Adewale Small Oyerinde stated that “The world of work is changing rapidly due to digitalisation and emerging technologies”.

Oyerinde said “Our youth need future-ready skills, yet unemployment and skills mismatch remain major challenges. This Fair is NECA’s way of empowering talents, building skills, and promoting inclusive growth.”

He added that the Fair will adopt a hybrid approach. Job seekers will complete a mandatory AI Fluency course to designed to arm them with essential digital skills for the modern workplace.

The AI fluency training will culminate in joint certification from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and Microsoft, enhancing the participants’ credibility and employability.

Furthermore, the virtual session on 13th May 2026 will focus on preparing job seekers with the skills, confidence, and knowledge required to succeed in interviews, including guidance on professional presentation, resume enhancement, and workplace expectations.

The physical session on 14th May 2026 will provide a face-to-face platform for job seekers to meet employers, participate in on-the-spot interviews, and network with HR professionals and industry stakeholders.

The event also features expert panel discussions where industry leaders and human resource professionals will share practical insights on career development, employability skills, and the future of work in Nigeria.

These discussions aim to provide participants with actionable strategies to navigate the modern workplace and align their skills with industry demand.

Employers from all sectors, including SMEs, will engage participants through interviews, talent scouting, on-the-spot assessments, and career counselling sessions.

He stressed that inclusivity is a key focus of this year’s edition. “We are ensuring deliberate participation of persons with special needs,” Oyerinde explained. “We want everyone to have equitable access to opportunities.”

The NECA boss described the fair as a critical initiative to bridge the gap between talent supply and industry demand.

He emphasized that the event underscores NECA’s commitment to reducing unemployment and equipping Nigeria’s workforce with future-ready skills.