Hundreds of young professionals, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts gathered on February 28, 2026, at the Celebr8 Event Center along Olu Obasanjo Road for Fasthire CareerFest 2026, a career-focused event aimed at positioning Nigerian talent for international competitiveness.
The festival, convened by Richard Okiasi, Lead of Fasthire, carried the theme, “Borderless – Empowering Talents to Compete, Create, and Collaborate Globally.” Okiasi described the event as “a vision to create real opportunities, real connections and real impact.” He expressed gratitude to sponsors, recruiters, partners and volunteers, noting that months of planning had culminated in a platform designed to connect Nigerian talent with global opportunities.
Ajah Excel, CEO of Silicon Africa Technologies, delivered the keynote address, emphasising skills over credentials. He said, “While local systems may reward certificates, the global marketplace rewards competence and value creation.” Excel outlined five levels of personal branding – presence, positioning, consistency, credibility and institutional relevance – and encouraged participants to build reputations that extend beyond borders. He also introduced the concepts of work and currency arbitrage, highlighting ways to earn globally while leveraging local advantages.
Catherine Kadiri, Managing Director of Xavina Consulting Limited, focused on mindset development. She told participants to take deliberate steps toward growth, even before feeling fully prepared, and added, “Curiosity, self-improvement and cultural intelligence are essential for thriving on the global stage.” Kadiri urged attendees to consider their relevance over the next five years, seek mentors and adopt slow, consistent progress.
Panel discussions provided practical guidance. Atat Charles, Founder of Aidela Africa, advised careful management of digital footprints, warning that social media content can influence credibility. High Chief Emeka Ezekwe, Group Managing Director of Arrowconn Group, identified the “Four Ps” – Purpose, Preparation, Proximity and Performance – as key pillars for long-term success.
A second panel addressed the use of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace. Amarachi Stanley-Duru, Founder of Marach Consul Limited, urged mastery of foundational skills while using AI tools to increase productivity. Excel added that prompt engineering and critical thinking would become increasingly important as AI adoption grows.
The event ended with a fireside chat featuring Emeka Nobis, CEO of Knowledge Money University, who encouraged participants to turn skills and personal experiences into income-generating opportunities.
Attendees described the festival as transformative. One participant said, “I came confused about my career direction, but I’m leaving with clarity and practical steps.” Another added that the focus on skills and digital visibility had reshaped her perspective on job readiness.
For many, Fasthire CareerFest 2026 marked the start of a journey toward opportunities without borders.
