Kano HR Fusion By Jobberman Champions Women’s Participation In Workforce 

Jobberman, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, concluded the Kano HR Fusion, convening leading employers, HR professionals, business owners, and workforce leaders across Kano State to explore how expanding women’s participation in the workforce can strengthen talent pipelines and power the state’s growing service economy.

Held in Kano, one of Northern Nigeria’s most important commercial hubs, the event focused on practical strategies to unlock an underutilised talent pool across service-driven sectors including healthcare support services, education, retail and trade administration, hospitality, office administration, and customer service. While centering women’s economic inclusion, discussions also addressed pathways for persons with disabilities (PWDs), women returning after caregiving gaps, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) pursuing economic reintegration.

Delivering the welcome address and opening remark, Olamide Adeyeye, Country Head of Programmes, set the context for the day’s dialogue. He emphasised the demographic imperative driving the conversation:

“Africa’s population is predominantly made up of young people, while the rest of the world is ageing. This reality presents either an opportunity or a curse. The goal is to reshape the country’s economic landscape and define what the nation’s future will look like. I charge everyone here to consider how to create inclusive opportunities for this young population and what such inclusion would look like in Kano. This conversation has the potential to transform not only the state discourse but also the national and global discourse on what employment will look like in the years to come.”

In her keynote address on “Unlocking Women’s Potential for Economic Growth,” Mrs. Mairo Tukura shared how workplace systems must evolve beyond legacy structures. Drawing from her own career, she noted: “When I joined my company, there were no women in management positions. Due to increased inclusivity, that has now changed. Women are no longer just stay-at-home mothers but are now active contributors to the economy. Yet many systems are not designed with inclusivity in mind and are instead primarily structured for men.”

Mrs. Tukura stressed the need to bring humanity into company policies, urging employers to accommodate caregiving, support, and childcare responsibilities. “Even workplace dressing and physical environments should be conducive and accommodating to these realities,” she said. She also challenged participants to adopt an “all hands on deck” approach to inclusivity, highlighting that “women in IDP camps still possess relevant skills for employment.” She called for partnerships with schools and public entities and underscored that respect, employee retention, and diverse workplace cultures across all levels promote productivity and diversity of ideas.

The event featured practical sessions that prompted immediate reflection among participants. Faith Titus, HR at Bridge Connect Africa Initiative, shared her key takeaway: “When Fatima Usman was presenting, I got a lot of insights. I am an HR Personnel, but when I am drafting my job description, I don’t really consider Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). It was when she was highlighting a lot of this that I got my key takeaway: whenever I am trying to put out a job or recruiting, I should try to consider them. There should be a note for people with disabilities.”

Nathaniel Peter, another participant, noted how the sessions shifted his approach to policy design:“One key takeaway for me is that when hiring a woman, I must consider how she balances responsibilities at home and at work. So, I need to consider flexible closing time as well as appropriate maternity support in case of child birth.”

Kano HR Fusion positioned women’s workforce participation not only as a social priority but as a practical workforce solution. Discussions emphasised that empathy, support, productivity, opportunity, and dignity are foundational to building inclusive hiring practices that strengthen Kano’s talent ecosystem.

By bringing together employers, HR professionals, and workforce development partners, the event aimed to bridge the gap between workforce strategy and inclusive hiring, ensuring Kano’s expanding service economy is powered by the full spectrum of its available talent.