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Babatunde Declares War on Joblessness — AWS Rolling Out Skill Revolution in Nigeria!
Nigeria is grappling with a worsening unemployment crisis, especially among its youth, whose jobless rate continues to rise sharply. Joel Moses Babatunde, founder of the African Workforce Summit (AWS), outlines how the initiative is equipping young Nigerians with employability skills and enhancing their personal branding to meet 21st-century workforce expectations. Excerpts from an interview with BusinessDay’s Wasiu Alli.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Nigeria’s unemployment crisis, especially among young people, continues to worsen. What unique challenge was the African Workforce Summit (AWS) designed to address—and how does it stand out from other initiatives?
At the heart of our concern is a powerful demographic reality: by 2050, Africa is projected to have the youngest population in the world. This offers a generational opportunity—one that demands urgent, deliberate action if we are to reclaim Africa’s place as a global partner of choice.
We created the African Workforce Summit as a lasting platform to shape that future. Our focus is threefold: upskilling, reskilling, and nurturing personal development. These are the pillars that drive AWS.
What sets our summit apart is its direct connection between talent and real-world opportunities. We invite professionals and business leaders who actually have open roles in their companies. On Day One of the event, they come not just to speak, but to recruit. Some attendees leave the summit with job offers in hand.
Everything we do is aligned with SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, and that’s what differentiates AWS from conventional job fairs in Lagos or anywhere else in Nigeria.
Theme of the Second Edition: “The Fuse”
This year’s theme, “The Fuse,” was intentionally chosen to reflect the energy and convergence the summit represents.
AWS isn’t just about bringing people together; it’s about sparking something new. “The Fuse” captures the summit’s role as both an ignition point and a melting pot—bringing together professionals across diverse fields, from tech and HR to creative industries and consulting. It’s about creating synergy through collaboration and cross-sector dialogue.
Bridging Talent and Opportunity with Practical Tools
One of the core challenges we face isn’t just unemployment—it’s unemployability. Many graduates lack the skills and confidence to meet today’s workforce demands.
That’s why the first day of AWS includes three employability workshops focused on essential, real-world skills—like how to negotiate salaries, how to network effectively, and how to access the “hidden job market,” where many roles are filled through relationships, not job ads.
We also run sessions on LinkedIn optimisation and personal branding, teaching attendees how to present themselves to employers and stand out in a competitive landscape. It’s not just about finding opportunities, but being ready for them.
Oga HR: Shaping a New Narrative Around Work
You’ve cultivated a unique identity as “Oga HR,” blending human resources insight with culture, storytelling, and even food. How has this helped shape how young Nigerians view work?
The name “Oga HR” may be catchy, but it comes with responsibility. It challenges me to lead, create, and inspire through content—whether written or spoken. It also helped me carve out a niche and use my voice to spark change.
In fact, AWS is a direct product of that journey. It was born out of my passion for Africa’s workforce and the need to live up to the platform and expectations that “Oga HR” carries. My goal remains clear: to empower young Africans to become more employable, more confident, and more ready for the future of work.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a historic breakthrough with the emergence of its first female pilot, Superintendent of Customs Nafisat Balogun, who recently earned a commercial multi-engine pilot licence in the United States.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The achievement was celebrated by the Nigeria Customs Technical Hangar Service, marking a significant step in the agency’s drive to strengthen its aviation capacity for surveillance, logistics, and anti-smuggling operations.
At a ceremony attended by senior officers, the Managing Director of the Customs Technical Hangar Service, retired Comptroller of Customs Capt. Kuhi Mbaya, described the development as a landmark moment for the service.
He said Balogun’s transition from cabin crew to certified commercial pilot represents a major breakthrough for the Customs aviation unit and highlights the agency’s commitment to professional growth and inclusivity.
He added that the milestone reflects expanding opportunities within the Service as it continues to integrate air assets into its enforcement and border monitoring operations.
Balogun expressed gratitude for the support she received, noting that her journey required dedication and resilience, while pledging to apply her new skills in advancing the Customs mandate with professionalism and discipline.
The development has been widely described within the Service as an inspiration for greater female participation in technical and specialised roles.
latest
Osun 2026: APC Candidate Oyebamiji Pledges Inclusive Governance For Non-Indigenes, Interest Groups.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has pledged to ensure inclusive governance by integrating non-indigenes and various interest groups if elected in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He said his administration would operate a structured system that promotes participation and representation of all segments of society in governance.
The pledge was conveyed by a former lawmaker and ex-Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, after he represented the candidate at an engagement with members of the Arewa community in Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area.
Oyintiloye said the plan is aimed at strengthening the link between government and grassroots communities, ensuring public policies reflect citizens’ real needs.
He added that all groups would be actively involved in both policy formulation and implementation to drive development in the state.
Oyebamiji also promised continued engagement with farmers, traders, artisans, and non-indigene communities as key stakeholders in governance.
Responding, leaders of the Arewa community commended past inclusion efforts and pledged support for the APC candidate ahead of the election.
Barely a year after its inauguration in Akwa Ibom State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been plunged into a deep factional crisis.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Multiple factions are now locked in a struggle for control of the party, leaving members uncertain about the legitimate leadership structure.
One faction is led by John Akpanudodehe, a former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while another is headed by the embattled state chairman, Dick Duke.
Although the leader of a third faction could not be immediately confirmed, findings indicate that another group also exists within the party.
Sources further suggest that the Akpanudodehe-led faction is seeking to remove the current chairman through a recently held congress that has sparked controversy.
In response, Dick Duke convened a stakeholders’ meeting over the weekend, where he rejected the legitimacy of the said congress.
He said the party had formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to distance itself from the exercise, citing a subsisting court order.
According to him, his tenure as state chairman is still valid until May, and any congress conducted before then would be unlawful.
Duke added that the party would only proceed with proper congresses after the expiration of his tenure and the resolution of legal issues, in line with due process.
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