NECA To Host 2026 Workforce Job, Employability Fair

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has announced plans to host the NECA Workforce Job and Employability Fair 2026 to promote skills development, job creation and inclusive growth.

The fair will run from May 13 to May 14, 2026, at NECA House in Ikeja, Lagos, with the first day scheduled to be held virtually.

The event, themed “Empowering Talents, Building Skills and Driving Inclusive Growth,” aims to equip job seekers with interview-ready skills and prepare them for meaningful engagement with employers, while also providing a platform for employers, industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss emerging digital trends, skills development and career opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving labour market.

Speaking from Geneva, NECA Director-General Adewale Oyerinde said the world of work is undergoing rapid transformation due to digitalisation and emerging technologies, creating a need for young people to acquire future-ready skills.

According to him, unemployment and skills mismatch remain major challenges in the country, noting that the fair is part of NECA’s efforts to empower talents, build skills and promote inclusive growth.

He said the event would adopt a hybrid format, with participants required to complete a mandatory Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fluency course designed to equip them with essential digital skills for the modern workplace.

Oyerinde explained that the AI training would culminate in a joint certification from the International Labour Organisation, the International Organisation of Employers and Microsoft, a development expected to enhance participants’ credibility and employability.

He added that the virtual session scheduled for May 13 would focus on preparing job seekers with the skills, confidence and knowledge required to succeed in interviews, including guidance on professional presentation, résumé development and workplace expectations.

The physical session, slated for May 14 at NECA House, will provide job seekers with an opportunity to meet employers directly, participate in on-the-spot interviews, and network with human resources professionals and industry stakeholders.

According to NECA, the discussions are designed to provide participants with practical strategies to navigate the modern workplace and align their skills with industry demand.

Employers from different sectors, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are expected to engage participants through interviews, talent scouting, on-the-spot assessments and career counselling sessions.

Oyerinde noted that inclusivity would be a key focus of the 2026 edition of the fair, stressing that the association is encouraging the deliberate participation of persons with special needs to ensure equitable access to employment opportunities.