Lagos Trains Thousands, Disburses N1.91bn Loans As Wealth Creation Ministry Unveils Scorecard

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to tackle unemployment and strengthen economic empowerment through large-scale skills development, entrepreneurship support and youth-focused employment initiatives, the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has said.

Speaking during the Y2026 Ministerial Press Briefing, the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, unveiled the ministry’s scorecard, highlighting achievements recorded under the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat.

Ajigbotafe disclosed that over 6,500 graduates have benefited from the Lagos State Graduate Internship Placement Programme (LSGIPP) since inception, including 2,500 graduates engaged during the 2024 cycle concluded in 2025.

According to him, the programme combines a three-week employability training with a three-month paid internship placement designed to equip beneficiaries with communication, teamwork, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

He added that participants receive a monthly stipend of N60,000 while gaining practical industry experience across reputable organisations.

The Commissioner further revealed that the Y2025 Job Fair attracted 2,005 job seekers, surpassing the Ministry’s initial target of 1,500 participants.

He said the event recorded 4,254 online registrations and 1,385 physical registrations, while 110 recruiting organisations participated in the exercise.

Ajigbotafe noted that several participants secured employment opportunities through direct interactions with employers during the fair.

In the creative industry, the Ministry trained 570 participants under the Eko Studio Culture Training Programme in areas including DJing, music production, music business, sound engineering, sound design and music scoring.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at strengthening competencies within Lagos’ growing creative economy.

The Commissioner also disclosed that 1,425 beneficiaries were empowered with Point of Sales (POS) machines as part of the state government’s drive to promote self-reliance and support nano and micro businesses.

On technical and vocational development, Ajigbotafe said 500 youths across the five divisions of the state benefitted from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the government’s strategy to encourage practical skill acquisition and reduce dependence on white-collar jobs.

The Ministry also implemented an Event Planning Empowerment Training Programme in partnership with Zapphaire Training School, where 100 participants received practical training in event planning and management.

Beneficiaries, he said, also received monthly stipends of N50,000 throughout the training and internship period.

Ajigbotafe stated that the Ministry organised a five-week entrepreneurial skills programme for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across Ikorodu, Alimosho and Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Areas.

He said 1,050 PWDs were trained and equipped with start-up tools between 2024 and 2025 to enhance economic inclusion and self-reliance.

The Commissioner added that, in collaboration with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), the Ministry trained and empowered 1,200 artisans and tradesmen with modern equipment to improve productivity and service delivery.

He further disclosed that the Start Right Lagos Initiative supported 250 entrepreneurs, including 50 start-ups and 200 existing business owners, through training, mentorship and grant support.

According to him, the programme has contributed significantly to enterprise sustainability, wealth creation and job generation across the state.

Ajigbotafe said 150 beneficiaries from underserved communities in Alimosho and Kosofe also benefitted from entrepreneurial training and empowerment support through a partnership with KOAS Consulting Initiative.

As part of efforts to strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Ministry established the Lagos State Industrial Leather Hub in Matori, Mushin, to support businesses within the leather value chain through access to affordable workspace, equipment and essential infrastructure.

The Ministry also partnered with Project L.O.U.D Sanwo-Olu ICT/Skills Acquisition Empowerment Centre to train 2,500 youths in vocational and ICT-related skills in 2026.

Ajigbotafe explained that the initiative was designed to improve employability, entrepreneurship and digital literacy among young Lagosians.

The Commissioner further revealed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Public Service Office, trained and supported 100 retired and retiring public officers with entrepreneurship skills, start-up support and business equipment to improve post-service economic stability.

He added that 49,203 ATM cards were successfully distributed to beneficiaries across the state between 2025 and 2026.

Highlighting achievements of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Ajigbotafe disclosed that the agency disbursed affordable loans worth N1.91 billion to 4,036 MSMEs between May 2025 and April 2026.

He added that grants worth N23.628 million were also provided to 65 businesses to support operational sustainability and expansion.

According to the Commissioner, LSETF, in partnership with GIZ, Kings Trust International, USADF and Diageo, trained 3,456 Lagosians in vocational and technical skills while successfully placing 2,127 beneficiaries in jobs.

He further disclosed that the Fund signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to train 2,000 Lagosians in 2026.

Ajigbotafe added that the agency incubated 50 early-stage startups, supported 143 startups with workspace access and trained about 1,000 tech talents in software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and related digital skills.

He reiterated the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to building a resilient economy driven by innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable employment opportunities for Lagos residents.