Lagos, Nigeria – May 31, 2024
The recently concluded Lagos Career Fair, organized by Jobberman Nigeria, the country’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, marked a significant milestone in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The event, which attracted a diverse group of job seekers, particularly highlighted efforts to make the fair more appealing and accessible to female professionals and persons with disabilities.
Egharevba Stephanie, the Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Mastercard Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council, lauded Jobberman Nigeria’s initiatives during her address at the fair. “Diversity is not just a buzzword. It is the key to innovation and change. When we talk about people with disabilities, they are human beings with potential who are innovative as well,” Stephanie emphasized. Her words resonated deeply, underscoring the importance of embracing a diverse workforce for driving innovation and societal progress.
The context of her speech is particularly poignant given the current state of female participation in Nigeria’s labor force. Over the past decade, the participation rate of women in the workforce has seen a troubling decline, plummeting to a historic low of 43.78% in 2023 from approximately 57% in 2010 for women aged 15 years and older. This data, sourced from the World Bank’s collection of development indicators, paints a stark picture. Despite the seemingly moderate concern from the overall numbers, a deeper dive into the data reveals a significant portion of these women are involved in informal labor with minimal opportunities for career advancement and economic stability.
This scenario underscores the critical importance of platforms like Jobberman Nigeria’s Career Fair. The fair provides female job seekers, including working mothers, a valuable opportunity to engage with potential employers, showcasing their skills and vying for roles that promise greater fulfillment and career growth.
Esther Adelusi, Jobberman Nigeria’s Gender & Inclusivity Coordinator, elaborated on the organization’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by women and persons with disabilities in the job market. “Women contribute immensely to society; however, poor support and lack of representation in the spaces that matter have hindered their growth in professional careers,” Adelusi remarked. She highlighted childcare as a significant barrier for working mothers. To tackle this issue, the career fair included a free crèche for mothers with children aged 0-5 years. “We want organizations to model this system in the workplace and implement policies that promote gender equity, enabling more women to make meaningful contributions to our growing economy,” she added.
The fair also provided an inclusive platform for persons with disabilities, showcasing the organization’s commitment to diversity. Attendees praised the fair’s provisions, which aimed to ensure that all job seekers, regardless of their physical abilities, had equal access to career opportunities.
The career fair’s success is a testament to Jobberman Nigeria’s dedication to fostering an inclusive job market. By addressing the barriers faced by women and persons with disabilities, the organization is not only helping individuals find employment but also advocating for systemic changes in workplace policies and practices.
Jobberman Nigeria’s efforts reflect a broader movement towards a more inclusive and equitable workforce, where diversity is celebrated, and every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Lagos Career Fair stands as a beacon of hope and progress, setting a precedent for future events and initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in Nigeria’s labor market.
As the fair concluded, the optimism and enthusiasm among attendees were palpable. With continued efforts and support from organizations like Jobberman Nigeria, the future looks brighter for women, persons with disabilities, and all job seekers striving for meaningful and rewarding careers.
