Feyisayo Alayande, the executive secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), urged job seekers to cultivate five essential soft skills that will set them apart from employers and carry them through their career beyond technical know-how.
She gave this advice during the GET HIRED recruitment fair, organised by West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), in collaboration with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and King’s Trust International (KTI), as part of a project launched by Lagos state to empower 2,000 young people aged 18 to 35 years by 2027.
The partner employers at the fair interviewed over 159 young job seekers, after these young persons attended a one-month employability and soft skills training in a blended digital-to-physical model.
Alayande noted that, “Soft skills may seem invisible, but they are what sets you apart. Be intentional about them — because that’s what employers truly remember.”
Reflecting on her transition from global finance to public service, Alayande drew on personal experience across institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) before returning to Nigeria to serve in development finance.
“I’ve worked in both the private and public sectors, and one thing that has remained constant is this: respect, integrity, professionalism, empathy, and punctuality matter — every single time,” she said.
From job creation to wealth creation
In emphasising the broader mission and goal of the initiative, Pelumi Ogboye of WAVE highlighted the mission that drives the GET HIRED initiative: “Our mission is to create a level playing field for all Sub-Saharan youths. We believe that being born in Nigeria should not be a disadvantage.”
Similarly, Oyindamola Egbeyemi, director of programmes and coordination at LSETF, emphasised the broader goal: “This isn’t just about job creation—it’s about wealth creation. We want young people to not just survive, but thrive.”
Egbeyemi underlined the importance of employability alongside technical skill acquisition. “There are many jobs, and there are many young people. The gap lies in matching skills to the roles,” she explained.
“We’re tackling the disconnect between labour demand and supply by identifying skills gaps and addressing them through strategic partnerships.”
She credited the strength of the collaboration: “Everyone plays a role—the government, educational institutions, private sector, civil society, and you, the job seekers. It’s about building a future together.”
Expectations and realities in today’s job market
During a fireside chat with human resource (HR) leaders across sectors, a common thread ran through the conversation—employers are willing to train, support, and invest in young talent, but they seek job seekers who bring the right attitude, consistency, and willingness to learn.
“Every job is a learning opportunity,” Ogechi Okeke, regional HR director of Sundry Food, noted. “It might not be your dream role, but it can help you build character and get you closer to your goals.”
HR leaders from other organisations such as Funke Onofuye (Central Securities Clearing System – CSCS), Peju Suleiman (NOK by Alara), Chiamaka (Digital Fortress) and David (WE Chops) all offered a window into the expectations and realities of today’s job market.
Imbibing workplace decorum in the workplace
Elaborating further on expectations of the youths in the workplace, Alayande candidly emphasised the importance of professionalism, integrity, and empathy in the workplace.
She called on attendees to practise empathy daily, especially in customer-facing or team settings.
“Empathy should be part of your daily practice — especially before you get to a leadership position”, she said.
Other non-negotiables like respect was emphasised, as she urged participants to honor their commitments, build a trustworthy reputation, and always deliver on promises.
She also advocated for abandoning “African timing” to show seriousness and welcomed the importance of asking questions as a sign of growth.
Other points she noted are, promoting collaboration over rivalry, valuing networks as potential career assets, and distinguishing between mentors (who guide) and sponsors (who open opportunities).
