Lagos govt celebrates 6,190 skills acquisition graduates, urges them to turn skills into livelihoods

The Lagos State Government has celebrated 6,190 residents who graduated from the 2025 Skills Acquisition Programme of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), urging them to transform their newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.

The graduates, comprising 4,225 females and 1,963 males, were honoured at a graduation ceremony held on Tuesday, September 2, 2026, at the De Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja.

Representing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu at the ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the programme reflected the administration’s commitment to equipping residents with practical skills that could improve household incomes and strengthen economic participation.

She said the government’s investment in skills development was designed to empower residents to create opportunities for themselves while contributing to the state’s economic growth.

According to the governor, Lagos State’s Free Skills Acquisition Centres provide residents with access to vocational and entrepreneurial training at no cost, creating pathways for beneficiaries to establish businesses, secure employment and improve their livelihoods.

He urged the graduates to continually develop their skills, embrace innovation and technology, understand customer needs and take advantage of available opportunities.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the Ministry’s Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), which is designed to support beneficiaries in transitioning from skills training to enterprise development.

He said more than 3,800 Lagos residents benefited from the 2026 edition of MESI through the provision of productive equipment and business start-up support, including some outstanding graduates of the Skills Acquisition Centres.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, described the Skills Acquisition Programme as a major component of the ministry’s efforts to promote economic independence and reduce poverty among Lagos residents.

Dada said WAPA operates 19 Skills Acquisition Centres across the five IBILE divisions of the state, alongside the Women Development Centre in Agege, bringing the total number of training locations to 20.

She explained that the centres offer tuition-free vocational and entrepreneurial training in various fields, providing participants with practical knowledge and skills that can be developed into viable businesses and careers.

The commissioner added that the ministry’s skills development initiatives also extend to grassroots, rural and riverine communities to ensure that residents across Lagos have access to economic empowerment opportunities.

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In a motivational session, Mrs. Ariori Rachael Eyitayo urged the graduates to move from “Learning to Earning,” stressing that the true value of their training would be demonstrated through what they create, the services they provide and the value they offer their customers.

She encouraged the beneficiaries to continue learning and improving their crafts, while emphasising quality, discipline, customer relations and market knowledge as essential ingredients for building sustainable businesses.

Some of the graduates also shared their experiences, expressing appreciation for the training and support received under the programme.

They included Sinjeganji Prisca, trained in Hairdressing and Cosmetology; Okon Essien Babatunde, a Woodwork and Furniture Making graduate; Azeez Mariam, trained in Catering and Hotel Management; and Omotosho Fathia, who studied Fashion Designing and Dress Making.

They described the programme as an opportunity to strengthen their skills and advance their respective careers.

The practical focus of the programme was further demonstrated with the presentation of equipment to the best graduating students from each of the Skills Acquisition Centres.

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The support is intended to enable the outstanding beneficiaries to apply their acquired skills, establish or expand businesses and become economically self-reliant.

In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, appreciated the Lagos State Government for sustaining the programme.

She also commended the directors, instructors, parents and guardians for their contributions to the success of the initiative, while congratulating the 6,190 graduates and urging them to put their skills to productive use.