Lagos State Government has graduated 500 youths from its Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) Programme, with beneficiaries receiving start-up kits and becoming eligible to apply for a ₦250,000 start-up loan facility aimed at supporting small businesses.
The six-week vocational training programme was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and held at the Sam Shonibare Auditorium in Surulere.
The initiative focused on practical skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and encourage self-reliance among young people in Lagos.
Beneficiaries were trained in computer and phone repairs, photography and videography, graphic design, cosmetology, and mixology.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony themed “Empowering the Youths: From Knowledge to Income,” the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, said the programme reflects the Lagos State Government’s commitment to equipping youths with marketable skills that can generate sustainable income.
According to him, the Ministry remains focused on creating opportunities that prepare young people for the realities of the modern economy through practical and demand-driven training.
Ajigbotafe said participants received intensive hands-on training from experienced professionals and industry experts to ensure they are fully prepared to succeed in their chosen fields.
He encouraged beneficiaries to maximise the opportunities provided through the programme and become productive members of society capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic growth in their communities.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lolade Aina, disclosed that the Lagos State Government distributed start-up kits to beneficiaries to help them begin their businesses immediately after completing the programme.
She also stated that beneficiaries can access the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) support platform for funding opportunities and business support services needed to grow their ventures.
Aina explained that participants interested in accessing the ₦250,000 start-up loan facility would be required to provide their LASSRA ID, training certificate, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and a valid government-issued means of identification.
She urged the graduands to embrace entrepreneurship and wealth creation rather than depend solely on white-collar jobs.
“The objective is not just to train youths but to help them build sustainable means of livelihood and become financially independent,” she said.
The event also featured certificate presentations, exhibitions of projects developed during the training, distribution of start-up kits, and goodwill messages from stakeholders and development partners.
The Lagos TVET Programme forms part of the State Government’s wider efforts to strengthen youth empowerment, support entrepreneurship, and promote inclusive economic development across the state.
