Hundreds of students, industry professionals, and government officials converged on Yaba College of Technology over the weekend as the Lagos State Government partnered with the Black History and Lifestyle Awards to launch Youth in Creativity 1.0, an empowerment and mentorship programme designed to equip young Lagosians with skills and opportunities to thrive in Nigeria’s growing creative economy.
The programme, organised by entrepreneur Folashade Balogun under the Black History and Lifestyle Awards platform, featured hands-on workshops, panel sessions, mentorship clinics, and empowerment giveaways targeted at helping participants build sustainable careers across fashion, digital content, beauty, technology, and entrepreneurship.
With creativity now recognised as one of the most valuable global skills, spanning media, design, tech, fashion, and storytelling, the organisers noted that the initiative offered young people a platform to explore, develop, and express their abilities in meaningful ways.
In her keynote address, Ms Balogun stressed that creativity is no longer a side hustle but a major driver of the modern economy. She urged young people to pursue their dreams with confidence, saying, “When young people are given access, guidance, and support, they can build careers, start businesses, tell their stories, and shape the future of their communities, one idea, one skill, and one young mind at a time.”
She added that Youth in Creativity 1.0 was built not just to motivate but to provide the networks, knowledge, and mentorship needed to enable young talents to thrive. “Creativity is a tool for transformation. Through this programme, we aim to make it possible for young Lagosians to pursue their passions, grow their skills, and contribute to shaping a brighter, more innovative future,” she said.
Lagos State Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, encouraged participants to embrace due process, start small, and recognise that their future rests in their own hands. Representing the governor, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, applauded the organisers for prioritising young people and advised students to uphold integrity and apply the lessons gained from the event.
He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting programmes that advance youth development, social progress, and gender equality.
The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Ibraheem Abdul, highlighted the institution’s role in nurturing innovators and creative entrepreneurs. He noted that the partnership demonstrated the importance of linking education with practical industry exposure to help students grow professionally.
At the event, participants took part in practical sessions covering fashion, beauty, digital content creation, tech, and entrepreneurship. Empowerment giveaways, including phones, beauty kits, hair styling tools, and sewing machines, were distributed to help young creatives turn their ideas into viable ventures. Organisers explained that these tools were chosen to enable students to begin monetising their skills immediately and contribute to the growth of Lagos’ creative sector.
Youth in Creativity 1.0 demonstrates the growing alignment between education, government, and the creative industry, with a shared focus on youth development, innovation, and skills-based empowerment.
Stakeholders expressed optimism about the programme’s impact, noting that it is expected to become an annual initiative, expanding opportunities for young talents while supporting pathways for success locally and internationally.
