LAGOS, Nigeria – In a strategic move to combat poverty and promote economic empowerment, the Lagos State Government has trained 3,006 unemployed youths in the last two years through various capacity-building and job-readiness initiatives.
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, disclosed this during the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Mr. Ajigbotafe explained that the Ministry partnered with both local and international academies to provide employability skills training for over 2,000 graduates, some of whom secured full-time employment after their internships.
He also announced plans to onboard an additional 5,500 residents under the Nigeria CARES (NG-CARES) programme, with each beneficiary set to receive a monthly stipend of N20,000. This initiative aligns with the THEMES Plus development agenda, which emphasizes social inclusion, gender equality, youth empowerment, and economic resilience.
In support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Mr. Ajigbotafe noted that N1.17 billion was disbursed in the past year through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to help entrepreneurs upscale their businesses. The intervention resulted in the creation of 43,830 direct and indirect jobs and helped retain 34,542 existing jobs.
In addition, 25,954 residents across the 20 local government areas of Lagos also benefited from the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Cash Transfer programme, further strengthening the safety net for vulnerable citizens.
