HR CIRCLE Lagos – April Edition: A Night of Real Conversations, Real Solutions, and Real Connections

On a cool Lagos evening, the HR CIRCLE Lagos April Edition unfolded — and if you missed it, let’s just say you missed out on a night where HR professionals didn't just talk about work; they talked about impact, change, and a better future for recruitment. The event kicked off with a high-energy, truly refreshing intro session led by none other than Henry Ohaegbulam, the Regional Growth Lead for Africa at MTestHub. Henry’s style? Effortlessly engaging. He wasn’t just welcoming people; he was setting the tone — fun, free-flowing, and genuinely human. His icebreaker session quickly moved the room from stiff nods and polite smiles to hearty conversations and lively networking. As HR leaders, talent managers, and recruiters trickled in, it became clear: this wasn't going to be just another formal seminar where everyone exchanges business cards and forgets each other’s names two seconds later. No — this was about building real connections.

A Glimpse into the Future: MTestHub’s Pitch for Smarter Hiring

After the room had warmed up and glasses were clinking with small talk, it was time to shift gears into something exciting. Elvis Maduabuchi Okoye, a dynamic team member from MTestHub, took the stage. Elvis delivered a quick but impactful pitch that ignited conversations across the room. He introduced MTestHub’s cutting-edge tools and products designed to simplify and elevate the hiring process. From streamlining candidate assessments to enhancing recruiter efficiency, Elvis painted a vivid picture of what recruitment could look like when powered by the right tech — faster, smarter, and more bias-free. Attendees leaned in, taking notes, nodding along, and exchanging knowing glances. Hiring has never been harder — and MTestHub was clearly offering a lifeline. Conversations immediately sparked up: “Can this help us reduce time-to-hire?” “Will this integrate with our existing ATS?” “How customizable is it for different job roles?” — it was the kind of organic interest every product dreams of sparking.

Real Talk: HR Pain Points and Bold Ideas

Then came what many would later say was their favorite part of the evening — the Lit Conversations. In a cozy, almost fireside-chat atmosphere, HR professionals across different industries opened up about their real, daily struggles — and possible solutions. No sugar-coating. No “everything is fine” corporate talk. Just honest experiences. People spoke about issues like:

• The difficulty of sourcing quality candidates post-pandemic
• High turnover rates despite generous benefit packages
• The emotional labor of HR work — being the "fixers" without getting enough support themselves
• Burnout among HR teams and the growing need for HR to "HR themselves" sometimes It was in this segment that Blessing Akasi, Senior Human Resources Officer at Anchor Insurance, delivered an unforgettable moment. Blessing shared passionately on "The Silent Battle: Addressing Emotional Fatigue in HR Teams." She spoke from both professional experience and deep empathy, explaining how HR officers often become emotional shock absorbers in their organizations — mediating conflict, handling layoffs, navigating employee grievances — all while expected to remain composed and unaffected.

"HR isn't just about policies and payrolls," Blessing said. "We’re the emotional backbones of companies — but who carries us?" Heads nodded in agreement. It was a moment of raw honesty that hit home for many. She went further to suggest solutions:

• Establishing internal wellness programs for HR teams
• Rotational support groups where HR professionals can vent and debrief confidentially
• Introducing mandatory mental health days — for HR teams first, and then across departments Her words resonated so deeply that it sparked side conversations long after the formal session ended.

Wrapping Up: Food, Drinks, Cheers, and New Connections

As the night drew to a close, the serious tones gave way once again to laughter and lightness. Delicious food was served, and the drink glasses didn’t stay full for long. Groups formed naturally — some huddled around the buffet, others lounging in corners deep in strategic conversations, others laughing over mutual workplace horror stories that were suddenly a lot funnier after two glasses of wine. There were clinks of glasses, boisterous laughter, a few spontaneous photo sessions, and plenty of exchanged numbers and LinkedIn requests. Old friends reconnected. New friendships and partnerships blossomed. Recruiters found potential tech partners. Talent managers found inspiration. HR execs found hope that maybe, just maybe, they weren't alone in their struggles.

One night, countless conversations.
One event, countless possibilities.
HR CIRCLE Lagos isn’t just an event — it’s where the future of HR in Africa starts. Catch the next one. Bring a friend. Come ready to talk, share, and transform.