Lagos Graduates 6,190 in Free Skills Programme, Sanwo-Olu Says 'Go Build Your Future'
Lagos State just proved again that when Africa invests in its own people, the returns are massive. The government has officially graduated 6,190 residents under the 2025 Skills Acquisition Programme, and the energy at the ceremony was nothing short of electric. These aren't just numbers; these are 6,190 stories of grit, ambition, and the kind of self-determination that defines the Lagos spirit.
The graduation ceremony, held at De Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, saw 4,225 females and 1,963 males walk away with practical, life-changing skills. This is what empowerment looks like when it's done right, and it's a clear signal that the state is serious about building a future where its people don't just wait for opportunities, they create them.
What is the Lagos State Skills Acquisition Programme?
This is not your average government handout. The Free Skills Acquisition Centres offer vocational and entrepreneurial training at zero cost. We're talking real, hands-on skills in fields like Hair Dressing and Cosmetology, Woodwork and Furniture Making, Catering and Hotel Management, and Fashion Designing. The goal is simple: give residents the tools to build businesses, secure jobs, and lift their households. It's about turning raw potential into economic power.
Sanwo-Olu's message: From training to real enterprise
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu didn't mince words. He charged the graduates to turn their new skills into sustainable livelihoods. The governor's vision is clear: this investment is about giving residents the capacity to create opportunities for themselves and contribute meaningfully to the state's economy. He pushed them to embrace innovation, understand customer needs, and make effective use of every opportunity that comes their way.
But it doesn't stop at training. The government's Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) is the bridge between learning and earning. Under the 2026 edition, more than 3,800 Lagos residents received productive equipment and business start-up support. That includes some of the best graduates from the Skills Acquisition Centres. They're not just sending you off with a certificate; they're giving you the tools to build your empire.
WAPA's commitment to grassroots empowerment
Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, broke down the scale of this operation. WAPA runs 19 Skills Acquisition Centres across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos State, plus the Women Development Centre in Agege. That's 20 training hubs, all offering tuition-free programmes. And they're not leaving anyone behind. The initiatives extend to grassroots, rural, and riverine communities, ensuring that economic empowerment is accessible to all, not just those in the city center.
From 'Learning to Earning': The challenge to graduates
The motivational session was led by Mrs Ariori Rachael Eyitayo, who threw down the gauntlet: move from 'Learning to Earning.' Her message was sharp and direct. The value of their training will be proven by what they create, the services they provide, and the value they offer customers. She urged them to keep improving their crafts and pay attention to quality, discipline, and market demands. This is about building a culture of excellence, not just getting by.
Graduates speak: Real stories, real impact
The proof is in the people. Graduates like Sinjeganji Prisca (Hair Dressing and Cosmetology), Okon Essien Babatunde (Woodwork and Furniture Making), Azeez Mariam (Catering and Hotel Management), and Omotosho Fathia (Fashion Designing) all shared their gratitude for the training. This isn't abstract policy; it's changing lives in real time.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of equipment to the best graduating students from each centre. These aren't symbolic gestures. This equipment is designed to let these outstanding beneficiaries immediately put their skills into practice and take concrete steps toward launching or expanding their businesses.
What's next for Lagos and its newly skilled workforce?
Permanent Secretary Mrs Rianat Ajibake Onigbanjo capped it off with a vote of thanks, appreciating the government's commitment and congratulating all 6,190 graduates. Her charge was simple: put these skills to productive use and keep improving. The infrastructure is there, the support is there, and now the ball is in the graduates' court.
This is the blueprint for African progress. No handouts, just a hand up. Lagos is building a generation of creators, makers, and entrepreneurs who will not only secure their own future but will drive the economic engine of the entire continent. This is the Lagos way, and it's a win for all of Africa.