The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), with support from the Skills Development for Youth Employment Programme (SKYE II), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German and Swiss governments, successfully hosted the Career Expo 2026 on Tuesday 12th May, 2026 at Maryland, Lagos, bringing together over 300 participants and 29 employers in a full-day event designed to connect skilled talent directly to employment opportunities.
The event brought together trained young people aged 18 to 40, including recent graduates, NYSC members, and job seekers who have completed training under the Employability Support Project implemented by LSETF as part of the SKYE II programme. Employers represented a broad range of sectors including technology, finance, creative industries, consulting, logistics, customer service, and business support services, creating a dynamic environment for recruitment, networking, and career advancement.
The event venue was filled to capacity as participants arrived with CVs in hand, eager to seize new opportunities and make their moment count. Panel sessions sparked lively and engaging discussions, with participants asking insightful questions and leaving with a renewed sense of direction and clarity about their career paths. Throughout the day, participants engaged in interviews, career conversations, employer engagement sessions, CV reviews, and networking opportunities designed to bridge the gap between training and employment. Several employers conducted on-the-spot interviews, while many participants received callback confirmations, internship opportunities, and advancement to the next stage of the recruitment process.
The Career Expo takes place at an important moment in the relationship between Germany and Nigeria. Following the German-Nigerian Business Day, which took place on May 11th and gathered industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to strengthen bilateral ties in areas such as energy, technology, and skills development, the LSETF Career Expo serves as a practical example of what this partnership can achieve with creation of opportunities for participants.
Speaking at the event, Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary, LSETF stated: “Today is proof that training alone is not enough. What young people need is the room where employers are sitting, where conversations happen, and where careers begin. That is what we have built today.”
Svjetlana Djokic, Programme Component Manager at the Skills Development for Youth Employment Programme (SKYE II), GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS added: “Our shared goal is straightforward: to ensure that young people in Lagos State are equipped with job skills relevant to labour market needs and are connected with meaningful employment opportunities. Working in close partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and private sector partners, we brought key stakeholders together on one platform to foster valuable connections and take a significant step towards reducing unemployment and driving inclusive local economic growth in Lagos State”
Also highlighting the valuable importance of the training, Nwanne Nwonwu, Founder, The Talent Pipeline Company, stated that “I would like to commend the organizers for putting together an impactful and well-timed career forum. It was valuable engaging with diverse job seekers, especially youth corps members beginning their professional journeys, while also identifying potential talent for our clients. The panel sessions were insightful and practical, and we encourage more initiatives like this to help young people navigate their career paths and employment opportunities.”
A Strengthened Partnership
The LSETF Career Expo 2026 marks another significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between GIZ and LSETF in advancing youth employment and economic inclusion across Lagos State. Funded by the German and Swiss governments, the partnership reflects a shared conviction that the gap between skilled talent and meaningful employment is not inevitable, it is solvable.
As both organisations look ahead, The Career Expo reaffirms a shared commitment to scaling this model and connecting more young Lagosians to more employers, and proving that with the right partnerships, youth unemployment in Lagos is a challenge that can be solved.
The Employability Support Project, implemented by LSETF, has supported so far more than 1,500 youth across Lagos including women, people with disabilities, job seekers, and entrepreneurs through employability training, career coaching, entrepreneurship support, workplace readiness programmes, mentorship, and industry engagement.
Today’s Career Expo is the culmination of that investment, putting trained talent directly in front of the employers who need them.
