The Lagos State Government has graduated more than 5,300 residents from its latest skill acquisition programme, arming them with hands-on expertise in trades ranging from fashion design, welding, carpentry, and cosmetology to other vocational crafts.
The initiative forms part of the State’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and promote economic self-reliance through targeted vocational training. By equipping participants with market-ready skills, the programme is expected to drive local job creation and expand the informal economy’s contribution to growth.
Officials at the graduation ceremony underscored that technical know-how is only one part of the formula for success. They urged participants to pair their skills with discipline, integrity, and resilience to achieve sustainable results.
Many of the new graduates are now poised to launch or scale their own businesses, joining a growing network of micro and small-scale entrepreneurs across Lagos. The State Government pledged to continue supporting these efforts through access to funding, mentorship, and business development services, ensuring that trained individuals can transition into thriving enterprises.
Authorities described the initiative as an investment not only in individuals but also in communities, noting that each successful business can create multiple job opportunities and inspire others to pursue entrepreneurship. Graduates were encouraged to leverage their training to produce goods and services that meet both local and regional demand, positioning themselves competitively in a fast-evolving marketplace.
The government congratulated the new entrepreneurs and called on them to convert their training into tangible results, contributing to a stronger SME ecosystem in Lagos and setting an example for other African cities seeking to combine skills development with economic empowerment.
