Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to equip Lagosians, particularly the youth, with the tools, skills, and opportunities required to thrive in today’s competitive economy.
Speaking at the 2025 Lagos State Job Fair, organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment on Thursday, September 11, at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the Governor described the event as a strong demonstration of the State Government’s resolve to build an inclusive economy where no talent is wasted and every ambition is given a chance to flourish.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, noted that the theme of this year’s fair Your Career, Your Way: Explore Endless Possibilities directly aligns with the aspirations of Lagos youth, encouraging them to pursue careers and entrepreneurial paths that reflect their unique strengths, while contributing to the prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria.
The Governor stressed that under the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda, youth empowerment remains a critical priority, highlighting ongoing investments in skills acquisition, vocational training, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship support.
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He stated: “Our goal is to prepare our young people not just for the jobs available today, but for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, we have sustained initiatives such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), which has supported thousands of entrepreneurs; the Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP), which bridges the gap between classroom and workplace; the Ready-Set-Work initiative for final-year students; and partnerships with the private sector to facilitate internships, job placements, and career development.”
Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Toriola Abdulafeez, called on stakeholders to support the State Government in implementing sustainable wealth creation programmes for the people.
Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe earlier reiterated that the Job Fair was not just an event but a lifeline and a promise kept by the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, “Lagos has Africa’s largest concentration of young people. If we fail to provide them with opportunities, we fail not just them but the promise of Lagos itself. That is why Mr. Governor has placed wealth creation and youth employment at the very centre of our economic strategy.”
The Commissioner disclosed that over 200,000 jobs have been created in the past four years through direct and indirect interventions of the Ministry. These include the Graduate Internship Placement Programme, vocational training centres, and the newly commissioned Leather Hub in Mushin, designed to turn creativity into enterprise. He further noted that billions of naira have been disbursed through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to small businesses, start-ups, and young entrepreneurs, thereby enabling them to create more jobs.
Ajigbotafe commended the commitment of employers of labour, development partners, and technical partners such as Human Capital Partners and Intermarc for sustaining the platform and opening doors of opportunity for Lagos talent.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for initiatives targeted at youth empowerment and inclusive prosperity.
He also commended the Commissioner, keynote speakers, panelists, employers of labour, implementing partners, and young participants for making the 2025 Job Fair a success, adding that the Ministry will continue to provide sustainable platforms for wealth creation and decent work.
In his keynote address, former Managing Director of Wemabod Estates Limited, Mr. Oluyemi Ejidiran, described the Job Fair as “a movement to restore dignity and unlock value for young people.” He highlighted the mismatch between available skills and industry needs, stressing that while over 80 per cent of Nigerians work in the informal sector, sectors such as construction, technology, finance, the green economy, and the creative industries hold vast job opportunities.
Ejidiran called for stronger collaboration between government, employers, and educational institutions to bridge the skills gap and urged youths to embrace lifelong learning. Speaking directly to job seekers, he declared: “You may be jobless today, but you are not useless. Opportunity favours the prepared—so prepare, show up, and be intentional.”
The fair also featured a panel discussion that had the Chairman, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, as one of the panelists, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment and Training, Mrs. Olubusola Abidakun, moderated the session. The 2025 Job Fair attracted more than 300 organisations across sectors including ICT, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, media, and the creative industries, with over five thousand young job seekers, graduates, and entrepreneurs participating.
The Lagos State Government assured that the Fair would continue to serve as a flagship platform for connecting talent with opportunities, strengthening public-private sector collaboration, and inspiring young people to chart purposeful career paths.
