Over the past six years, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has executed a series of integrated programmes designed to bridge the gap between skills and opportunities, strengthen micro and small enterprises, support artisans, and empower vulnerable groups.

Through a strategic blend of public-private partnerships, capacity building, and access to finance, the government is actively shaping a more inclusive and prosperous Lagos.
This write-up examines some of the government’s laudable initiatives aimed at creating wealth and generating employment.

The Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) is a structured employability pathway for unemployed graduates that addresses a fundamental gap in the labour market, which is the lack of workplace experience among degree holders.

In 2024 alone, 2,383 interns were onboarded into the programme, which commenced with a 3-week intensive training in essential soft skills, such as communication, emotional intelligence, teamwork, decision-making, and workplace ethics. These training sessions were held in strategic locations across the state, including Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Epe, and Lagos Island.

Post-training, interns were placed in 696 private sector organisations for three-month internships. By the end of the programme, 1,014 interns completed the full internship period, with 58 securing permanent jobs, while 65 were retained by their host organisations. This initiative not only enhances graduate employability but also injects fresh talent into Lagos’s private sector, reinforcing the economic ecosystem.

To expand access to employment opportunities, the government has institutionalised the Lagos State Job Fair, a talent marketplace executed in partnership with Human Capital Partners.

In 2023, the fair hosted 636 participants; this figure quadrupled to 2,373 participants in 2024, reflecting rising confidence in the platform. The job fair allows job seekers to interact directly with recruiters, submit resumes, and even undergo preliminary interviews on-site. Participants were drawn from a cross-section of industries, including technology, retail, finance, and manufacturing.

The fair is a key element of the State’s workforce strategy, ensuring that educated, skilled, and willing candidates are given a direct pathway into meaningful employment.
Recognising that technical knowledge must be paired with soft skills for holistic employment, the government launched several upskilling programmes in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Through a partnership with the West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE) Academy, 180 unemployed youth across four selected LGAs/LCDAs, namely Ikeja, Egbe-Idimu, Otto-Awori, and Isolo, were trained.

Participants had a 2-week intense training on time management, teamwork, problem solving, and customer service, followed by a one-month job shadowing placement. Over 1,450 individuals have passed through this WAVE programme, with 60% matched to job platforms.

In addition, a collaboration with Jobberman led to the training of 681 job seekers in Agric-tech, digital skills, and creative sector tools. These sessions were conducted in Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye, Epe, and Ifelodun, expanding the digital footprint of employable youth in Lagos.

Furthermore, 200 youths were enrolled in a specialised ICT training programme facilitated by MacTay Consulting. Participants received Microsoft certification and business-startup laptops, empowering them for global remote work and freelance opportunities.

Entrepreneurship is a critical factor for job creation and economic diversification. The government, in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan African University and the MasterCard Foundation, trained 2,000 youths engaged in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative, targeting 10,000 youths, provides business training, mentorship, and access to digital tools for scaling operations.

Similarly, 100 MSME operators received hands-on business development training alongside seed grants to support expansion. Participants were drawn from varied sectors, including agro-processing, textiles, creative industries, and technology.

Complementing these efforts is the near-completion of the Lagos Industrial Leather Hub in Matori, Mushin. The 95% completed facility will offer artisans and leather entrepreneurs access to shared production equipment, training halls, and retail space, creating a complete value chain for leather processing and manufacturing in Lagos.

The Industrial Hub entails creating a congregation of related enterprises in an identified location for enhanced Productivity, Wealth Creation and Business Development through the provision of access to business accommodation, workshops, standard equipment and infrastructural facilities at affordable costs. A multiplier effect is to create value chains in enterprises such as Leather works.

The informal economy is a major driver of employment in Lagos. The government has deepened support for this sector through multiple interventions, such as the training and equipping of 1,200 artisans in partnership with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).

In 2024, the government celebrated Tradesmen and Artisans Day, giving these workers visibility, recognition, and a platform to showcase their skills. These events elevate the profile of artisans, attract clients, and stimulate demand for local craftsmanship.
The government’s inclusion strategy is robust, spanning social protection, entrepreneurship, and training for vulnerable groups.

A flagship initiative targeted at Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) trained 750 individuals in entrepreneurial skills for five weeks across Ikorodu, Alimosho, and Amuwo-Odofin. Each participant received a start-up kit to launch their micro-enterprise, reducing economic dependence and promoting dignity through work.

In collaboration with the World Bank and the Federal Government, the government implemented the NG-Cares Social Transfer Programme. In 2023 and 2024, a total of 4,825 vulnerable residents, including the aged, chronically ill, and urban poor, received monthly stipends of N10,000. The upcoming NG-Cares 2.0 phase will see an increase in both the number of beneficiaries (5,500) and the monthly stipend (N20,000).

Also, the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer Programme reached 25,954 beneficiaries across all 20 LGAs in Lagos in 2024, while the longstanding Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme empowered another 11,386 beneficiaries, bringing the combined total to 36,980 residents supported under these federal government-aligned interventions.

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) remains a centrepieceof economic empowerment and entrepreneurial financing in Lagos. In 2024 alone, ₦1.17 billion in loans and ₦558.6 million in grants were disbursed, while 43,830 jobs were created directly and indirectly. Also, 34,542 jobs were preserved in MSMEs struggling with financial constraints.

The Fund has diversified its impact through innovative programmes, such as the Broiler Hub project in Ikorodu, which supported 91 farmers and produced 80,814 birds over four production cycles.

The Female Founders and Funders Programme also supported 21 women-led startups with ₦14.5 million in grants and workspaces.The Idea Hub Initiative incubated 74 early-stage tech ventures, driving innovation and startup incubation.POS devices and digital literacy tools were also distributed to 300 entrepreneurs, expanding e-commerce capabilities.Through these diverse programmes, the LSETF not only injects capital but also builds long-term business sustainability.

The government’s investment in five Job Centres across Lagos (Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagry, Lagos Island, and Epe) has created decentralised access points for career counselling, skills training, and job matching. In 2024, these centres trained 500 unemployed graduates in CV writing, interview preparation, and sector-specific job expectations.
A landmark collaboration with GIZ SKYE, the German Embassy, and the Swiss Agency for Development led to the donation of digital learning tools at the EKO Job Centre, enhancing digital capacity in underserved areas like Owutu, Ikorodu.

Additionally, Project U-TEN, in collaboration with Shun Unemployment Foundation, trained 150 youths in makeup, business writing, content creation, and digital marketing. Another 1,500 beneficiaries participated in the Project L.O.U.D ICT Empowerment Programme, gaining vocational and tech skills in mixology, POS operations, social media management, and web development.

These interventions collectively fortify the labour infrastructure of Lagos, promoting readiness and adaptability in a fast-changing job market.

With ongoing reforms, greater stakeholder partnerships, and the strategic deployment of digital infrastructure, Lagos is setting a precedent for excellence in wealth creation and economic empowerment.

Egbewunmi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information &Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.