The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, has officially launched the StartRight Entrepreneurship Development Support Programme to empower startups and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the state. The programme aims to equip entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge, skills, and resources required to build sustainable and profitable businesses in today’s competitive economy.
Speaking at the launch held on Tuesday, 7th October 2025, at the STO Resource Centre, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, described the initiative as a significant step in advancing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s vision of a #Greater Lagos driven by enterprise, innovation, and inclusive prosperity.
Ajigbotafe explained that the StartRight Lagos Programme was created to assist entrepreneurs and MSMEs in building solid foundations for their ventures. He emphasized the importance of sustainability and scalability in modern businesses. “It is no longer enough to start a business,” he said. “It is important to start right, sustain right, and scale right.” He added that the programme reflects the government’s continuous investment in developing future-ready entrepreneurs who will contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of Lagos State.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting youth empowerment, skill development, business incubation, and access to finance. He noted that these efforts are in line with the State Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus development agenda. Ajigbotafe also commended the facilitators and development partners for their dedication to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem and for complementing government efforts toward building a productive and self-reliant citizenry.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Esv. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka, described the StartRight Lagos Programme as another milestone in the state’s continuous drive to promote innovation, enterprise, and economic inclusion. He explained that the initiative was designed to provide participants with essential business knowledge, ethics, and management skills needed to start, manage, and sustain successful enterprises.
According to Olayinka, the goal is to equip Lagos entrepreneurs with the right mindset and capacity to transition from job seekers to job creators. “The StartRight Lagos initiative embodies that mission by providing practical learning, mentorship, and exposure to growth strategies,” he said. He appreciated the facilitators for their expertise and assured that the Ministry would continue to strengthen partnerships with both public and private sector stakeholders to maintain the momentum of entrepreneurship development across the state.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Lanre Oniyitan, a Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of W-Holistic Business Solutions, provided an overview of the StartRight Lagos Programme. She highlighted its structure, objectives, and expected outcomes in supporting startups and MSMEs to establish sustainable business foundations. Oniyitan noted that the initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of business management and achieve long-term growth.
The StartRight Lagos Entrepreneurship Development Support Programme stands as one of the flagship initiatives of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment. It focuses on enhancing entrepreneurial capacity, stimulating innovation, and providing practical business support for startups and MSMEs. The initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to economic inclusion, wealth creation, and youth empowerment, ensuring that more young people in Lagos can access business development opportunities and contribute to the state’s economic progress.