WorldStage– The Lagos State Government has empowered 5,339 residents with business tools and equipment, and graduated 5,310 others from its tuition-free skills acquisition centres in the last one year.
This is part of efforts to tackle poverty and promote economic self-reliance.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs Bolaji Dada, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing.
The briefing was to commemorate the second year of second term of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Dada said the intervention, implemented through the ministry, reflected the government’s commitment to reducing poverty, creating jobs and strengthening entrepreneurship.
She said the government had continued to invest in human capital development through its 19 skills acquisition centres located across the state’s five divisions and its Women Development Centre in Agege.
‘’ A total of 5,310 trainees successfully completed vocational programmes in fashion design, catering, cosmetology, barbing, information and communication technology, welding, furniture making, photography, textile production and other trades.
‘’Many of the graduates have become business owners and employers of labour.
“Our skills acquisition centres are not only training residents, but are transforming lives by producing entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and contributing to the economic growth of Lagos State,” she said.
Dada said the government complemented the vocational training with business support through the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) under which the 5,339 beneficiaries received tools and equipment to establish or expand their enterprises.
She disclosed that about 70 per cent of those empowered under the initiative were graduates of the state’s skills acquisition centres.
“Through MESI, beneficiaries have been provided with equipment and tools to grow businesses, turning dreams into livelihoods and livelihoods into engines of economic growth.
“Our objective is to ensure that skills acquired by residents translate into sustainable income, financial independence and long-term economic stability,” she said.
The commissioner said that the ministry had also intensified efforts to promote digital inclusion among artisans, traders and small business owners.
She said 600 beneficiaries received Android phones after completing a three-day digital marketing and e-commerce training programme organised by the ministry.
According to her, the participants were trained in online marketing, social media branding, customer engagement and e-commerce strategies to enable them to compete effectively.
