A report published in March 2019, by Simona Varrella, on the statistica.com platform puts the unemployment rate in Nigeria around 35 percent, with the research subject being between 15-64years old. With this number being on an exponential rise, we identified an essential need for the young people in our programmes to acquire employable skills, and more importantly, be matched to opportunities and organizations where their skills are mostly required.

In response, SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria through The Next Economy programme, partnered with Kaneng Rwang Pam (KRP) Group (KRP Communications Ltd and sister organization KRP FEMA) to float a Job Fair in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The Job Fair was one in a series of job placement programmes and activities with the objective of getting The Next Economy beneficiaries’ internships and/or jobs. The Next Economy Programme empowers youths in Nigeria to unleash their talents, build their confidence and skills needed for a successful career or an entrepreneur. The program is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seeks to afford young people in Nigeria the much-needed capacity-building trainings, support, and mentorship that allows them to succeed in life, gain decent jobs and build sustainable and viable businesses and startups.