Lagos State has restated its plan to reduce youth unemployment by focusing on digital skills and entrepreneurship training for students in state-owned institutions. The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tertiary Education, said this move is part of ongoing efforts to reduce poverty, boost economic growth and strengthen opportunities for young people in a fast-changing digital economy. Speaking over the weekend at the Job Initiative Lagos programme held at Lagos State University, Ojo, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule, said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to the THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritises innovation, technology development, and human capital.
While addressing the undergraduate participants, he said the government will not allow graduates of state-owned institutions to fall behind in a technology-driven world that demands advanced digital skills. He explained that despite several competing responsibilities, the state has continued to channel resources into digital knowledge and entrepreneurship development because they are essential tools for self-employment, career growth and long-term economic stability. According to him, “Despite competing demands for state resources, the government has continued to prioritise digital and entrepreneurship knowledge as a vital key for youth and graduates to achieve self-employment.”
The Commissioner encouraged students to take the Lagos State digital training seriously, noting that the initiative is funded with public resources and designed to help young people become productive contributors. He added that the training is part of the government’s long-term plan to expand job creation, reduce unemployment rates and strengthen the state’s workforce for global competitiveness. He urged students to justify the government’s investment by applying the knowledge gained to support economic growth and reduce dependence on traditional jobs.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Adeniran Kasali, also addressed the students and described the curriculum as one created by top industry experts in entrepreneurship and digital innovation. He said the facilitators were selected because of their ability to share practical strategies for success, especially in tough economic climates. Kasali urged the students to start applying what they have learnt immediately, even before graduation. He said the government has empowered them to think beyond job seeking and position themselves as future employers.
The three-weekend Job Initiative Lagos training is being held simultaneously at Lagos State University, Ojo, and the Lagos State College of Health Technology, Yaba. The programme is a key part of the THEMES Plus Agenda aimed at giving undergraduates strong digital skills for global opportunities and positioning Lagos as a growing technology and entrepreneurship hub in West Africa.
