Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that over 30,000 women and youths have been trained across the state’s 19 skills acquisition centres in the last five years.
Speaking on Thursday at the graduation ceremony for 5,309 students from the 2024/2025 session of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation’s (WAPA) skills acquisition programmes, the governor said the initiative was designed to equip young entrepreneurs with practical skills and tools to start their own businesses.
Sanwo-Olu described entrepreneurship as a key weapon in the fight against poverty, stressing that empowering people with skills not only transforms individual lives but also strengthens the wider economy.
“This graduation ceremony is a gathering of vision and immense potential,” the governor said. “It highlights our commitment to engaging our youths and, most especially, women, with skills to turn their lives around for good. Over 30,000 students have graduated in the last five to six years from the 19 skill acquisition centres across the state, and we remain committed to engaging more.”
The 2024 graduates received training in diverse trades, including vulcanising, welding, aluminium fabrication, carpentry, photography, barbing, catering, hairdressing, bead and hat making, gele tying, and makeup artistry. They were also awarded startup tools and certificates to help them launch their businesses immediately.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Bolaji Dada, praised the graduates for their dedication and resilience.
“These individuals have completed their training in various vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing them to become job creators and employers of labour,” she said.
First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who attended the ceremony, described the graduates as “symbols of hope, resilience, and the power of personal transformation.”
“The skills you have acquired are the building blocks for entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods,” she said. “This achievement proves that with the right tools, anyone can rise above limitations and become a positive force in their home, community, and society.”
The Lagos skills acquisition programme continues to expand, with the government promising to increase access and support for more aspiring entrepreneurs in the years ahead.
