More than 500 fashion talents are expected to connect with over 100 businesses at the 2026 Fashion Career Fair in Lagos as organisers seek to strengthen the link between skills development and employment.

The fifth edition of the event, organised by Obsidian Advisory Africa, is scheduled for October 22 and 23, 2026. The programme will begin with a virtual Talent Summit before moving to an in-person career fair at the J.K. Randle Centre in Onikan, Lagos.

The organisers say the event is designed to address a common challenge in the labour market: helping trained talent move from acquiring skills to finding actual employment, while giving businesses access to candidates whose abilities match their recruitment needs.

At the centre of this year's programme is the Sprint Recruitment Programme, a two-week virtual initiative designed to prepare participants for roles across different areas of the fashion industry.

According to Obsidian Advisory Africa, participants in the programme are trained across four broad career pathways covering technical and production roles, retail and customer experience, creative and brand support, and fashion business and administration. Selected participants are then matched with employers according to their skills and available roles.

Obsidian founder and CEO Damilola Ademilokun said the approach is intended to make recruitment more practical by preparing candidates for positions that businesses are actually looking to fill.

The first day of the Fashion Career Fair, Thursday, October 22, will be held virtually. The Talent Summit will feature discussions involving fashion employers, human resources professionals and industry practitioners on the skills businesses need, recruitment challenges and career development.

Participants will also have access to practical workshops focused on areas such as professional visibility and understanding how fashion businesses operate. The organisers will conclude the virtual programme with guidance on preparing for the physical career fair.

Activities will move to Lagos on Friday, October 23, when the Fashion Employer Town Hall and career fair take place at the J.K. Randle Centre.

The employer town hall will bring businesses and industry stakeholders together to discuss workforce needs, skills gaps and recruitment challenges before the recruitment activities begin.

Speed interviews are scheduled to begin from noon, with candidates having short sessions with participating employers. Graduates of the Sprint Recruitment Programme receive confirmed interview slots, while other available slots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The physical fair will also feature career clinics where participants can receive one-on-one reviews of their CVs, LinkedIn profiles and portfolios. There will also be opportunities to interact with industry professionals, employers and mentors.

Attendance at the career fair is free for jobseekers, graduates, freelancers and creatives. Participation in the Sprint Recruitment Programme is not compulsory, although those who enrol in the optional programme receive additional role-specific training and a confirmed speed-interview slot.

The official event page lists the Sprint Recruitment Programme at ₦10,000, while businesses seeking access to trained candidates through the hiring-partner package are charged ₦50,000.

The organisers have advised participants to attend with their CVs or portfolios and prepare for direct engagement with employers. However, participation in the event does not guarantee employment, as hiring decisions remain with individual businesses.

Obsidian Advisory Africa describes itself as a workforce development organisation focused on connecting talent with employment and business opportunities. The company says it has worked with organisations including the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Jobberman, Mastercard Foundation and GIZ on workforce-related programmes.

The 2026 Fashion Career Fair is therefore positioned not simply as a networking event, but as a recruitment-focused platform where trained talent can meet businesses with identified workforce needs.

For young professionals, freelancers and other people seeking opportunities within Nigeria's fashion ecosystem, the organisers say the two-day programme will provide avenues to build professional connections, receive career support and engage directly with potential employers.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia