The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tertiary Education, marked the successful conclusion of the 2025 Job Initiative Lagos Training Programme on Saturday with a grand finale at the Lagos State College of Health Technology in Yaba. The programme, which equipped hundreds of students from state-owned tertiary institutions with digital, entrepreneurial, and job-readiness skills, was described as an important step in driving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda on Education and Technology.
In his message at the event, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tola Sule, described the Job Initiative Lagos as the government’s decisive response to the changing demands of the 21st century economy. He explained that the programme aims to shift the focus of students from certification to problem solving.
According to him, “For too long, our educational narrative has primarily focused on the pursuit and acquisition of certificates. The world no longer searches only for degree holders; it seeks solution providers, digital literates, agile innovators, and entrepreneurs who create value.” He added that the initiative was designed to bridge the skills gap between academic learning and industry needs.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Adeniran Kasali, stressed the need for global competitiveness among students trained in Lagos. He told the audience that the skills acquired through the initiative position graduates for relevance across markets beyond Nigeria.
Mr Kasali noted, “We must move beyond theoretical knowledge. By focusing on practical application in areas like digital technology and entrepreneurship, the Lagos State Government is proactively positioning our graduates to compete favourably with the best in the world. This training is the license to their future success.”
The heads of participating institutions also addressed the gathering, describing the initiative as an added value to academic development. In her welcome remarks, the Deputy Provost of Lagos College of Health Technology, Dr Islamiyat Agoro, expressed gratitude for the state government’s constant support.
“We are honoured to host the grand finale of this transformative program,” she stated. She explained that the college fully supports the inclusion of digital and entrepreneurial skills in student training because it complements their core learning.
Representing the universities, the Dean of Students Affairs at Lagos State University, Professor Abdufatai Abatan, applauded the dedication shown by students throughout the training. “This is the spirit of innovation and dedication we want to see in our students,” he remarked. He added that while the transition from student to professional is challenging, the programme ensures that graduates are now creators rather than mere consumers.
Also speaking, the Dean of Students Affairs at Lagos State University of Education, Dr Dawodu, highlighted the programme’s role in tackling unemployment. He said, “JIL is crucial because it promotes self-reliance. By instilling an entrepreneurial mindset, this programme is actively helping to reduce graduate unemployment. Every business idea nurtured here is a potential job for another Nigerian.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Hon Samuel Kapoo, encouraged participants to remain “skilled and adaptable,” reaffirming the government’s intention to produce the most prepared generation of youths the state has ever seen.
For three intensive weekends, students participated in two training streams, including Digital Literacy and Entrepreneurship, along with sessions on interview techniques and coding. The Lagos State Government described this as a vital investment in its students and youth population.
The programme aims to ensure that graduates from state-owned institutions are not only prepared for the labour market, but also capable of generating employment for others through innovation and enterprise.
