By Esther Onyegbula

The founder of Vauchly, Elijah Okpogie, has said the Nigerian job marketplace platform was created to make hiring faster, easier and more transparent for employers and skilled workers across the country.

Okpogie explained that the platform leverages location-based technology to help employers discover skilled workers around them in real time, while enabling job seekers to gain visibility based on their skills and proximity.

According to him, the initiative is particularly targeted at addressing challenges faced by Nigeria’s informal sector, where artisans, freelancers and technicians often struggle to access job opportunities despite possessing relevant skills.

“Vauchly makes hiring faster and more local. Employers can discover skilled workers around them in real time, while job seekers become visible based on their skills and location. It simplifies access to opportunities, especially for people in the informal sector,” he said.

He noted that trust and accountability remain at the core of the platform’s operations, stressing that Vauchly has integrated identity verification systems, business verification, ratings, reviews and activity monitoring features to improve credibility within the hiring ecosystem.

Okpogie added that the company also introduced a National Identity Number, NIN, API to help curb fraudulent activities and permanently remove users reported for misconduct.

“Vauchly is building trust through identity verification, business verification, profile reviews, ratings and activity monitoring. The goal is to create accountability and help both workers and employers know exactly who they are dealing with. We have NIN API too, so users that have been reported will be banned for good,” he stated.

Speaking on the reception the platform has received, the founder said the growing adoption reflects strong demand for a more practical and simplified hiring solution among businesses and job seekers.

According to him, many Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, struggle to find reliable workers quickly, while skilled Nigerians often lack the visibility needed to secure opportunities.

“It shows there is strong demand for a simpler and more practical hiring solution. Many SMEs struggle to find reliable workers quickly, while skilled Nigerians lack visibility and access to opportunities,” he said.
Okpogie further explained that unlike conventional recruitment platforms focused mainly on corporate employment, Vauchly prioritises skills, reputation, availability and proximity.

“Vauchly was built for everyday professionals, not just corporate recruitment. The platform focuses on skills, reputation, availability and proximity, giving artisans, freelancers and technicians equal digital visibility,” he added.

Highlighting the economic potential of location-based hiring, the founder said the model could help reduce unemployment and improve productivity for businesses by connecting workers with nearby opportunities faster.

“Location-based hiring can reduce unemployment by connecting people to nearby opportunities faster. It also improves productivity for businesses and helps strengthen local economies by keeping jobs and services within communities. You can choose who is closer, you don’t need to wait for anyone for hours in traffic,” he stated.

On the company’s long-term vision, Okpogie said Vauchly aims to become Africa’s most trusted hiring infrastructure by simplifying access to jobs and talent across the continent.

“Our vision is to build Africa’s most trusted hiring infrastructure. We want Vauchly to make finding work and hiring talent easier, faster and more transparent across Nigeria and eventually across Africa,” he said.