Empowering the North: Jobberman’s Alaga on workforce development initiatives

By Etop Ekanem

In a bid to foster economic growth and development in Northern Nigeria, workforce development initiatives have become crucial. Ahmed Alaga, Head of Programme, Impact & Partnerships at The Africa Talent Company (TATC), shares valuable insights on the region’s employment landscape and Jobberman Nigeria’s efforts to bridge the skills gap. In this interview, Alaga discusses the recent career fair in Kaduna State and the progress made in workforce development across Northern Nigeria.

What changes have you observed in Kaduna’s employment landscape over the past few years?

Since beginning work in Kaduna three years ago, we have observed significant shifts in the local employment ecosystem. Many young people have found opportunities across various sectors, particularly in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. A notable trend has been increased female participation in the workforce, with more women entering previously male-dominated industries.

We’ve seen changing employer perceptions as well. Local businesses that previously recruited from outside the state are increasingly hiring local talent. Soft skills training has addressed gaps that employers frequently identified, contributing to improved retention rates. This employment growth appears to have positive effects on household economies across the region.

Jobberman Nigeria recently organised a career fair in Kaduna. How does this event contribute to workforce development in Northern Nigeria?

 The Kaduna Career Fair organised by Jobberman Nigeria serves as an important connection point in the larger ecosystem of workforce development. Jobberman, as part of The Africa Talent Company, has designed these events in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to acknowledge the challenges facing Northern Nigeria while highlighting the region’s potential.

The career fair demonstrates to young people that local opportunities exist, which helps address the migration of talent to Lagos and Abuja. Jobberman focused on bringing together employers from sectors with growth potential in the region, such as agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital services, areas where Northern Nigeria can develop competitive advantages.

The insights gathered at the event from both employers and job seekers will help shape Jobberman’s training programs across Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau states in the coming year.

How does Jobberman measure the effectiveness of the career fair and other employment initiatives?

We take a multi-dimensional approach to measurement. Beyond tracking placement numbers, Jobberman conducts follow-ups to assess job satisfaction, career progression, and income changes among participants.

For employers, we examine metrics like time-to-productivity and retention rates. Many report that candidates hired through Jobberman’s events become productive team members more quickly than average new hires.

We also track broader indicators-measuring returning employers, sector diversity, and geographic distribution of opportunities. Perhaps most important is monitoring participation and outcomes across gender, disability status, and educational background to ensure opportunities reach those traditionally excluded from formal employment channels.

What support does Jobberman provide to job seekers after the career fair?

Post-event support is crucial to long-term outcomes. Jobberman has developed different support pathways based on job seekers’ needs.

Those who receive conditional offers can access coaching to help them succeed during probationary periods. Candidates who had promising interviews but no immediate offers can connect with mentors and receive targeted training to address skill gaps identified during interviews. We do this through our Alumni Mentorship Program.

For those who struggled to make connections, Jobberman offers comprehensive skills assessment and development plans that might include digital skills training, vocational programs, or entrepreneurship support depending on their interests and aptitudes.

What makes Jobberman’s approach in Kaduna distinct from other regions?

Kaduna presents a unique case with its blend of industrial heritage and agricultural innovation. The region requires expertise in revitalising traditional industries while building capacity for emerging sectors. The presence of established manufacturing facilities alongside innovative agribusinesses creates opportunities for cross-sector knowledge exchange.

Kaduna’s youth demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination to build careers locally rather than migrate. This has informed Jobberman’s approaches to skill development that emphasise adaptability alongside technical capabilities.

The engagement of community leaders in promoting technical education has been particularly effective here, providing models that are being adapted for other states where Jobberman operates.

How relevant are technology skills for employment in Kaduna State?

Labour market analysis shows that hybrid skill sets combining technical knowledge with practical trade expertise create the most resilient career paths in this region. For instance, mechanics who can use diagnostic software alongside traditional repair skills tend to earn significantly more than those with either mechanical skills or computer skills alone. Rather than applying generic technology curricula, Jobberman has found success contextualising digital skills within traditional industries.

What future workforce development initiatives can Kaduna expect from Jobberman?

Jobberman has established two Job Centres in Kaduna. The job centres are physical spaces where jobseekers can visit to find employment opportunities tailored to their skills, area of expertise and interest. They also get to receive career guidance and counselling services including CV reviews. Organisations and employers can also visit the job hubs to put up vacancies and open roles in order to find the right candidates. Our job centres are located at: No.1 Mobutu road, Narayi High cost, Kaduna; and No.22b Kanta Road, City Centre, Kaduna. Our goal is to ultimately contribute to the economic development within the state.