Lagos empowers 6,190 residents with free vocational, entrepreneurial skills

The Lagos State Government has recently concluded the graduation of 6,190 residents who underwent vocational and entrepreneurial training under the 2025 Skills Acquisition Programme of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. These graduates, consisting of 4,225 females and 1,963 males, participated in a graduation ceremony held at the De Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The graduates were urged by the administration to turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the state's economy. Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of equipping residents with practical skills to improve household incomes and strengthen economic participation. The government's investment in skills development aims to enable residents to create opportunities for themselves and contribute meaningfully to Lagos' economy.

The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation manages 19 Skills Acquisition Centres across the state's five IBILE divisions, along with the Women Development Centre in Agege, providing tuition-free vocational and entrepreneurial training. The ministry's Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) offers productive equipment and business start-up support to beneficiaries, with over 3,800 Lagos residents receiving assistance under the 2026 edition of MESI.

The commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, highlighted the programme as a significant component of the ministry's efforts to promote economic independence and reduce poverty. The permanent secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, commended the Lagos State Government for sustaining the programme and encouraged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to establish or expand their businesses.