The Lagos State Government has launched the StartRight Entrepreneurship Development Support Programme, a new initiative designed to strengthen startups and MSMEs with the knowledge and tools required to build resilient and scalable businesses.
The programme, introduced by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, was officially unveiled at the STO Resource Centre in Alausa, Ikeja. Speaking at the launch, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to creating an enterprise-driven economy under the #GreaterLagos vision.
Ajigbotafe stressed that the challenge for many businesses is not starting, but sustaining and expanding. “It is no longer enough to start a business. We must start right, sustain right, and scale right,” he said, noting that the programme is tailored to groom entrepreneurs who can thrive in competitive markets and contribute to employment across Lagos.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s focus on youth empowerment, access to finance, business incubation and capacity building, all aligned with the government’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Esv. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka, described StartRight as a strategic move to nurture a new generation of business owners equipped with critical skills in management, ethics and innovation. He said the aim is to guide participants from job seeking to job creation through mentorship and practical enterprise support.
Providing further insight, Consultant and CEO of W-Holistic Business Solutions, Lanre Oniyitan, outlined the programme’s structure and objectives. She explained that StartRight is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate common pitfalls and build long-term business foundations.
Positioned as a flagship initiative, the StartRight Programme reinforces Lagos State’s agenda on wealth creation and economic inclusion. By empowering startups and small businesses, the government hopes to widen opportunities for young entrepreneurs and deepen the state’s productivity base.
