Ruth NWORIE
Young professionals, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts gathered in Port Harcourt for the Fasthire CareerFest 2026, where speakers encouraged Nigerian youths to build relevant skills and position themselves for opportunities in the global digital space.
The event, organised by Fasthire and convened by its lead, Richard Okiasi, held on February 28, 2026, at the Celebr8 Event Centre along Olu Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt. It was themed “Borderless – Empowering Talents to Compete, Create, and Collaborate Globally.”
Speaking at the event, Okiasi said the festival was designed to help young Nigerians develop the right mindset and tools needed to succeed in a world where opportunities are no longer limited by location.
According to him, many talented Nigerians only need the right guidance and exposure to compete globally.
“We want to equip the next generation with the mindset and tools to compete, create and collaborate without boundaries,” he said.
The keynote speaker, Ajah Excel, Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Africa Technologies and convener of SMfest, spoke on the topic “Building Careers and Businesses Without Borders.”
Excel stressed the importance of developing practical skills and maintaining a strong online presence.
He noted that while Nigeria often focuses on academic certificates, the global market values skills and practical knowledge.
“You must be willing to step out and meet opportunities,” he said, adding that ideas can travel across the world through the internet without the need for visas.
He encouraged participants to build visibility online, develop relevant skills and position themselves for international opportunities.
Excel also highlighted the importance of personal branding, explaining that credibility, consistency and results are key to gaining global recognition.
Also speaking at the event was Catherine Kadiri, Managing Director of Xavina Consulting Limited, who delivered a presentation on “Building the Mindset to Create, Compete, and Collaborate on the Global Stage.”
Kadiri told participants that success in today’s world requires the right mindset, curiosity and continuous learning.
According to her, young professionals must focus on improving themselves rather than competing with others.
“You can never be fully ready. Start before you are ready,” she advised.
She encouraged participants to ask themselves important questions about their future relevance, find mentors and remain open to learning from failures.
The event also featured two panel sessions where speakers discussed practical steps for building global careers.
During the first panel session titled “Positioning for Global Opportunities,” Atat Charles, Founder and CEO of Aidela Africa, advised young professionals to be careful about their online activities.
According to him, social media profiles can either attract opportunities or discourage potential employers.
“What you post online can build you up or pull you down,” he said.
Charles advised participants to focus on personal development, volunteer when necessary and honestly assess their readiness before applying for global opportunities.
Also speaking during the panel was High Chief Emeka Ezekwe, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Arrowconn Group, who described career positioning as a deliberate effort to remain relevant.
He urged young people to focus on building capacity before seeking financial rewards.
“Build capacity first, then monetize,” he said.
Ezekwe also highlighted what he described as the Four Ps of Career Positioning — Purpose, Preparation, Proximity and Performance.
The second panel session titled “Work Smarter, Not Harder – Using AI Tools to Thrive in a Borderless Workplace,” focused on the role of artificial intelligence in improving productivity.
Amarachi Stanley-Duru, Founder and Lead Consultant at Marach Consul Limited, encouraged participants to learn how to use digital tools and artificial intelligence to remain competitive.
She noted that mastering basic digital skills is important before advancing into more complex technology tools.
Excel also added that while artificial intelligence is becoming more common, the real value lies in how people use it effectively.
“If you want to provide value globally, start locally,” he said.
The event ended with a fireside chat with Emeka Nobis, Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge Money University, who spoke on “From Skill to Income: Turning What You Know into Value.”
Nobis encouraged participants to identify their talents and convert them into services that can generate income.
He advised young professionals to start with the skills they already have and gradually grow their expertise.
According to him, social media can also help individuals build authority and attract opportunities when used effectively.
The Fasthire CareerFest 2026 brought together industry leaders and young professionals, providing practical insights on how Nigerian talents can compete and succeed in a borderless world.
