Discover how Victoria Edet is reshaping the HR space through self-development, advocacy, and real-world experience. In this International HR Day spotlight, she shares how toxic work culture fueled her purpose, her views on AI in HR, and the importance of staff welfare. A must-read for HR professionals passionate about growth, inclusion, and the future of work.
Product Marketer. MTestHub
In celebration of International HR Day, we’re spotlighting a remarkable and quickly growing HR professional in our community who is driving change and inspiring a new wave of workplace excellence. In this edition of our HR spotlight series, we sat down for an interview with Victoria Edet, a resilient and passionate HR professional whose journey into the field has been shaped by her unique experiences, strategic self-development, and a mission to champion staff welfare.
A one-on-one conversation with the CEO of Kendor Consulting was a game-changer for me. She spoke about navigating HR in a way that made me realize how much self-investment I had to make - financially, mentally, and emotionally - in order to stand out in this career path. I had to put in real money for certifications and commit to developing hands-on experience to truly stand out. That conversation also taught me the value of negotiation. It was a mindset shift that pushed me into action, and today, I’m proud to be an associate member of the institute.
Yes, it was a tough experience. At my previous job, there was no proper training, colleagues withheld information, and there was this unspoken “fail first before you learn” approach. People spoke in their tribal languages during meetings, which made me feel excluded. Not even three months in, I was already facing jealousy, just because I was representing the brand at external meetings. It made me deeply aware of the importance of documentation and accountability. I knew I couldn’t thrive in that environment, so I left, both for my mental health and professional growth. Some parts of that experience are too deep to share publicly, but they solidified my purpose: to help build healthier, more inclusive workplaces.
I wouldn’t give it a 100% but I’d say it’s about 90% effective. AI tools have made tasks like CV screening and payroll processing so much easier. You can filter applicants quickly using keyword-based software, and that’s a huge time-saver. But AI isn’t still perfect. It misses some context and nuances that only human judgment can catch. That’s why I believe HR professionals shouldn’t completely rely on it, we need to stay hands-on and refine the edges where AI falls short.
I don’t think AI can replace humans. It still makes mistakes, especially when the prompts or parameters aren’t clear. I’ve noticed that older HR professionals tend to resist using new technology, maybe because it feels unfamiliar. But younger professionals are more open to exploring tools that can simplify human resource workflows. I think both need to coexist. The best outcomes happen when human insight is combined with AI’s efficiency.
It would definitely be staff welfare. In my experience, when staff aren’t well taken care of, it affects morale and performance. I’m a strong advocate for benefits like proper HMOs, fair compensation for overtime, and wellness support. For instance, in Lagos, if you close at 5 pm but your boss keeps you till 6:30 pm regularly, there should be compensation for that. And don’t get me started on HMOs that make you jump through hoops just to see a doctor. Every company I consult for hears me loud and clear on this: take care of your people, and you’ll see the results.
I’d tell myself to figure out why I want to be in HR, and what problem I want to solve. Today, my focus is on improving staff welfare because I’ve seen how deeply it impacts performance. But I only realized this a bit later in my journey. If I’d known earlier, I would’ve built my entire HR career around that mission. As for what I’d do differently, I would’ve prioritized my career much sooner. After university, I never saw myself working for anyone. I wanted to build a business and be my own boss. But reality hit me soon. You need capital to do that, and sometimes the only way to raise that capital is by gaining experience and earning from employment. I’m grateful for how things turned out though, mentorship and learning on the job have made me stronger.
Victoria’s story is one of grit, reflection, and a strong drive to make workplaces better, especially for those just starting out. As we celebrate International HR Day, we salute HR professionals like her who are doing the work behind the scenes to make our work lives more fulfilling, inclusive, and human-centered. Stay tuned for more spotlights from The HR Circle and explore how the HR landscape is evolving through people, tech, and purpose. You can also connect with Victoria or follow her career journey on Linkedin.
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