First Career Fair for High School Graduates in Lagos.
The Siemens Stiftung, in collaboration with Empowering Africans Through Education (EAE), launched a groundbreaking Information Technology (IT) training project called “BeMINT” for high school students and recent graduates in Lagos. This initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria), aimed to equip young individuals aged 16-20 with hands-on IT skills. Between the project’s launch and May 2023, 230 beneficiaries had already participated in the training program.
On the 4th of May, 2023, a career fair was organized for the recent secondary school graduates who had completed the BeMINT training program. Held at the NECA Center in Ikeja, Lagos, the event attracted over 150 talented individuals. Representatives from various companies such as Etiwa Tech, Terra Academy, NGCC, AHK, and Simply Exponential were in attendance. The event commenced with a welcome address from Miss Lucy Chioma Aniagolu, the Project Manager, and Chineye Odenigbo from AHK Nigeria. Joseph Onokpe, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the BeMINT Project, served as the host.
During the event, special lectures were delivered to the students. Fayo Williams from Simply Exponential Consulting emphasized the value of the opportunity they had and provided insights on how to prepare for the future of work. Mr. Christian Stehling from GIZ SKYE encouraged the BeMINT beneficiaries, highlighting their role as future leaders. The keynote speech was delivered by Mr. Bright Jaja from i-create, focusing on career choices, opportunities, and youth development.
Following the speeches, a networking session ensued, allowing beneficiaries to pitch themselves, showcase their skills, and express their interests to representatives from various organizations. This interactive session lasted for two hours, fostering meaningful connections between the beneficiaries and potential employers. The event concluded with closing remarks from Angel Benson, the Programme Coordinator of Empowering Africans, who encouraged the beneficiaries to follow up with organizations, implement key learnings from the program, and serve as ambassadors for Nigeria’s youth.
Overall, the career fair served as a pivotal opportunity for BeMINT beneficiaries to engage with industry professionals, gain valuable insights, and explore potential career paths in the IT sector. It exemplified the commitment of Siemens Stiftung, EAE, and their partners to empower young Nigerians through education and skills development.