By Zika Bobby
The Nigerian Talent, UK Educated (NTUKE) has held the fifth edition of its career fair in Lagos, with the opportunity to engage with UK-educated Nigerian graduates who are eager to contribute to the Nigerian workforce.
Speaking at the event, Emma Tarrant Tayou, founder of Graduate Guidance Group, said the event presents a platform for alumni from participating universities to secure new roles, make new connections, and negotiate better packages.
According to Tayou, the programme also provides prospective students the benefit of face-to-face interactions with university representatives, which offers them a valuable opportunity.
She said the event is not only for those looking for employment but to support everyone with personal development and networking, and that it played host to employers that are looking to fill certain positions in their companies.
Tayou said the organisation has adapted to the economic challenges, such as inflation and forex issues, by offering alternative study options like overseas campuses in Dubai and Malaysia.
According to her, despite forex challenges, the demand for education remains high as Nigerians still opt for UK education despite the higher costs.
She said UK universities are now highlighting research-intensive programmes that allow students to bring their families, which has helped mitigate the impact of the new UK government laws of travelling with dependents.
Joshua Oluwadepo, senior recruitment consultant at Jobberman, said the firm is partnering the organisers to provide the right manpower to drive the economy.
Oluwadepo said the ‘Japa syndrome’ no doubt is affecting Nigeria’s talent retention and called on employers to offer better work-life balance and growth opportunities to retain talents.
Tobi Odukoya, an International Alumni Ambassador for Nottingham University, said the challenging economic situation in the country has seen many young productive talents leave Nigeria because they feel they have no other options.
Odukoya said the programme present opportunity for universities to create a support system for alumni to collaborate and help each other and to harness the alumni community and create awareness of others making waves, thereby creating partnership and collaboration among them.
She said for Nigeria to reduce emigration, there is need for Alumni to collaborate and offer mutual support among them to create sustainable opportunities that would lead boost employment.