The world is a global village, and the dreams and aspirations of young Africans no longer have to be constrained to the continent.
This was the central theme of the inaugural International Opportunities & Growth summit (IOG), where young professionals and innovators gathered to discuss strategies for unlocking international opportunities.
The event, held in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, emphasised the importance of digital skill development, education, and networking in navigating a rapidly changing world. Convener Japhet Ikuni, popularly known by his social media moniker, “Travel Doctorr,” delivered the opening keynote, narrating his journey from Delta State in Nigeria’s Southern region to a successful career in Canada.
“Our overall goal is to empower our community with the tools, insights, and connections needed to thrive in the rapidly changing global landscape. For me, I believe that you could be anywhere. You could be in Nigeria, you could be in Ghana, you could be in the UK, and assess and unlock international opportunities,” he said.
Ikuni highlighted the importance of bridging the knowledge gap for Africans aspiring to thrive globally and urged attendees to embrace the summit not merely as an event but as a movement aimed at empowering individuals and organisations to adapt and excel in the global economy.
Inspiring sessions for growth
Following Ikuni’s keynote, Queen-Esther Emma-Egbumokei took the stage to discuss "Leveraging Global Platforms for Potential and Professional Growth."
Drawing from her experience as Nigeria’s ambassador to the CWMUN and her role at Beyond Borders, she emphasised the importance of passion, persistence, and a commitment to personal development.
Beginning by pointing out that employers prefer hiring candidates with international exposure, she launched into sharing some pathways young people could take advantage of in the search for international opportunities.
There has been a significant shift in how young people choose careers in the last two decades. For many, passion and a belief that their work is impactful are crucial. Without discouraging attendees from going after their passions, Emma-Egbumokei pointed out that a lifestyle of curiosity was important for people who plan to build international careers. With finance playing a huge role in the career choices of many young Nigerians, she encouraged attendees not to dwell on the disadvantages that could come as a result of being Nigerian.
She ended by outlining actionable steps for participants, such as identifying marketable skills, building a personal brand, and remaining resilient in the face of challenges.
Following Emma-Egbumokei’s session, Kheli Femi-Agunnu and Ibukun Amosu took sessions on transitioning from non-tech to tech roles and landing remote jobs. Amosu, a recruitment specialist and venture scout, emphasised that remote work has transitioned from a trend restricted to a few industries to a phenomenon creating opportunities for professionals across the globe.
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of positioning as a global professional. This involves building a strong LinkedIn profile, cultivating a personal brand, and showcasing tangible achievements through a compelling portfolio. Amosu also encouraged attendees to invest in both trending and evergreen skills to stay competitive in the job market.
He highlighted networking as a critical strategy, advising attendees to build genuine relationships through platforms like LinkedIn, join communities, and secure referrals.
The session ended on a motivational note as he urged the audience to embrace resilience and resourcefulness in their pursuit of remote roles.
Femi-Agunnu’s session shared a practical roadmap for transitioning from non-tech to tech roles. He began the session by dispelling the myth that only people with technical skills could work in the tech industry before going on to show how transferable skills such as effective communication, leadership, and problem-solving could help non-technical individuals land roles in tech companies.
Chinyere Agbasiere offered practical insights into global market trends and remote work opportunities. Her talk focused on the role of digital platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, and Fiverr in connecting Nigerian talent to global employers. Chinyere’s advice to “build a brand and upskill consistently” was a recurring theme, emphasising the value of adaptability in a competitive global job market.
Leveraging opportunities in Canada
One of the event’s highlights was the keynote by Dindembolo-Zaya Kuyena, Senior Trade Commissioner at the Deputy High Commission of Canada in Nigeria. With more Africans leaving for work and education, Canada has emerged as a leading destination for Nigerians, with more than 10,000 Nigerians moving to Canada in the first half of 2023.
Kuyena began his keynote by sharing the story of how he landed his first job following graduation before detailing how Canada's relationship with Africa was evolving. With Canada revising its immigration policies, he highlighted some ways Nigerians could take advantage of opportunities in the country.
Drawing on his experience as a diplomat, he emphasised the power of storytelling in building a personal brand. The trade commissioner also highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability, sharing his own journey of working multiple jobs to support his diplomatic aspirations. He encouraged attendees to focus on building intangibles like work ethic, negotiation skills, and networking.
Addressing attendees with plans to move to Canada, he noted that it was crucial to identify their motivations for making the move and have a solid plan to help with achieving it.
Beyond the keynotes, attendees had the opportunity to engage with event partners, such as through interactive Q&A sessions that explored how to access study and work opportunities in Canada. There was some time given for attendees to interact with each other while brief panels and fireside chats with YouTuber Steven Ndukwu and Reni Odetoyinbo provided much-needed inspiration.
While the IOG Summit may have been concluded, the seeds sown in the hearts of attendees are ones that are sure to remain for a long time.