Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, job creation, and inclusive economic development, declaring that young people remain central to the State’s prosperity and long-term growth.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, at the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, the Governor disclosed that beginning from September, 1,000 interns trained under the State’s Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) will be deployed to various partner organisations across Lagos. The announcement was made during the forum held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, which brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, and the youth enterprise ecosystem.
Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at equipping Lagos youth with relevant work experience, industry exposure, and professional development that will position them for long-term success. He also revealed that over 200 companies have already keyed into the programme as partners, providing placement opportunities and mentoring for the interns.
In his welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, underscored the government’s commitment to building a self-sustaining economic structure through targeted interventions. He highlighted some of the ministry’s flagship programmes, including the Lagos State ICT Empowerment Scheme, the Lagos Leather Hub located in Matori, and the substantial financial support offered to small businesses through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), which has disbursed over ₦30 billion to date.
The Commissioner stated that the State government remains intentional about bridging the unemployment gap by creating enabling platforms for skills development, entrepreneurship, and access to capital, especially for start-ups and micro-enterprises.
Also addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Esv. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka, assured that insights gathered from the forum would be critically examined and translated into concrete policies and actionable programmes that can effectively convert the aspirations of young Lagosians into measurable socio-economic outcomes.
The 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum served as a melting pot for discussions on scalable solutions to youth unemployment and wealth creation. Participants engaged in robust dialogue on how best to harness innovation, digital technology, and private sector partnerships to build a more inclusive and resilient economy.
The event not only underscored the Lagos State Government’s proactive approach to economic development but also reaffirmed its resolve to position the youth at the heart of policy design and implementation. Governor Sanwo-Olu, through his administration’s various youth-focused initiatives, continues to demonstrate a clear vision for a Lagos where young people are empowered, productive, and actively contributing to the State’s socio-economic transformation.
