Lagos State Government has called for increased private and public investment in skills training and hospitality development, saying the sector is central to the state’s plan to expand jobs and boost tourism revenue.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Diageo Learning for Life (L4L) programme in Nigeria on Friday at Victoria Island, Lagos, the Commissioner, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, said the state’s hospitality industry was growing rapidly and that increased investment in skills development to enhance the hospitality sector remained key.

He added that the country’s economic diversification goals would depend on a workforce equipped for service-driven industries.
Sule, who was represented at the event by the Director of the Lagos State Agency for Mass Education, Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, underscored the need to equip young people with practical skills that would maximise productivity.

He said: “Today’s convocation ceremony is pertinent for the celebration of empowerment, achievement and opportunity. It showcases the importance of equipping our young people with practical skills that will enable them to become productive, self-reliant, and economically empowered citizens.

“Learning for Life development initiative in partnership with Celebr-8 Lyfe and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) is highly commendable for its focus on practical hospitality, employability and entrepreneurship skills, which are critical to our economic growth and social stability programmes; making real opportunities for young people to explore meaningful careers and sustainable livelihood.”

He also commended partners and organisations’ contributions to human capital development towards investment in the future of the youth.

While congratulating the graduands on their milestone, the commissioner said skills and knowledge should serve as the foundation for future success.

He urged the graduands to remain hardworking, maintain discipline, and be committed to innovative self-development, adding: “The world encourages creativity. Try to become ambassadors of excellence.”

He affirmed the government’s continuous commitment to support initiatives that promote education, vocational training, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment, noting that investing in people is an investment in the future of the society.

Earlier, the General Manager, Diageo Nigeria, Adebayo Alli, while delivering his keynote address, said the event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to professionalise, regulate and strengthen the tourism and hospitality sector as a major driver of economic diversification, employment generation, cultural diplomacy and sustainable national development.

He said: “Today is a celebration of resilience, growth, opportunity, and the incredible potential that exists within young Nigerians when they are given access to the right support, training, and platform to thrive.

“At Diageo, we believe that business success and community progress must go hand in hand. That belief is what drives initiatives like Learning for Life, a programme designed not only to equip young people with hospitality and tourism skills, but also to create pathways to confidence, employability, and long-term economic empowerment.

“At Diageo, our commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable social impact remains strong. We see Learning for Life not as a one-off initiative, but as part of a broader commitment to supporting communities, strengthening industries, and creating opportunities for future generations, and as we celebrate this important milestone today, we are also excited about the future and the possibilities ahead for this programme in Nigeria.”

He added that the programme served to empower young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills that would make for meaningful opportunities within the hospitality sector.

Speaking on the organisation’s achievement, Alli said, “Today, we are proud to say that the programme has exceeded expectations. We successfully trained over 300 young people, surpassing our initial target of 250 participants. Beyond the classroom, more than 150 participants secured internship placements across the hospitality industry, with several already transitioning into permanent employment opportunities.”

He urged the graduands to focus on continuous learning while being resilient and embracing opportunities.

He said, “The hospitality and tourism industry is filled with possibilities, and we are excited to see the impact each of you will make within your workplaces, businesses, and communities.”

Also, the Commissioner of Art and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who was represented by the Deputy Director of the ministry, Idera Folakemi, hailed the initiative for impacting meaningfully on the lives of young people in the country.