Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s dedication to using artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and digital technology to drive economic development, improve governance, and support youth employment. Speaking at the recent Jobs Initiative Lagos (JIL) training programme’s closing ceremony, held in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted his vision of Lagos as a technological powerhouse within Sub-Saharan Africa.
Represented at the event by Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Sanwo-Olu shared that the Jobs Initiative Lagos is more than a training programme. According to him, it is a movement aimed at empowering students and youth with skills that will help transform Lagos’ economy and create a better future for all. “This is a movement to empower students and youths to transform the economy and build a better future,” he stated, underscoring the state’s holistic approach to combating graduate unemployment.
Job Skills Training to Tackle Unemployment
The Jobs Initiative Lagos programme is a response to rising graduate unemployment in Lagos. It focuses on delivering comprehensive training in essential areas such as business creation, digital technology, effective communication, employability fundamentals, financial management, coding, and entrepreneurship. According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, these areas align with his broader vision for the state as a technological leader in the region.
Addressing over 500 participants from Lagos’ five state-owned tertiary institutions, the Governor emphasized that his administration’s investment in this programme reflects a strong commitment to advancing Lagos as a leader in technology and economic growth. “With Jobs Initiative Lagos, undergraduates in state-owned tertiary institutions can acquire industry-recognized skills, entrepreneurial mindsets, and innovative thinking to thrive in the 21st-century workforce,” he told participants.
Commissioner Tolani Sule Applauds Programme’s Success
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, expressed her satisfaction with the achievements of the Jobs Initiative Lagos at the closing ceremony. She highlighted the importance of the programme’s focus on industry-relevant skills, stating, “Today marks the culmination of our collective efforts to empower our youths with industry-recognized skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and innovative thinking.”
Sule noted that the training programme’s entrepreneurial component effectively connects the academic world with industry expectations. “The entrepreneurial aspect of the training has helped bridge the gap between academia and industry,” she shared, adding that feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many citing the training as both encouraging and transformative.
In her remarks, she assured the audience that the Lagos State government is committed to continued investments in education and infrastructure. She explained that the government is dedicated to ensuring that students graduating from state-owned tertiary institutions possess the tools necessary to excel in the dynamic, technology-driven 21st-century workforce.
Deputy Chief of Staff Emphasizes the Power of Artificial Intelligence
Mr. Samuel Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Government, delivered a keynote speech on “Maximising the Transforming Capabilities of Artificial Intelligence in the 21st Century Workplace.” Speaking on the programme’s potential, he described Jobs Initiative Lagos as an invaluable platform for students to prepare for the fast-evolving challenges in the global job market.
Egube noted that the training programme would help participants develop resilience, adaptability, and independence. He said, “Jobs Initiative Lagos is an opportunity for you to shape and transform your futures, equipping you to become self-reliant.” Emphasizing the role of artificial intelligence, he warned that the modern workforce will increasingly demand specialized knowledge and experience to navigate the impact of emerging technologies on the job market.
Training Covers Key Skills to Enhance Employability
The Jobs Initiative Lagos is part of the Lagos State government’s broader plan to equip students with the critical skills required for modern jobs. The curriculum includes modules in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and coding. These skills are in demand as companies around the world continue to integrate digital technologies, and the Lagos State government hopes to eliminate graduate unemployment within state-owned institutions by providing students with practical, industry-relevant skills.
The training programme’s primary goal is to close the gap between the knowledge imparted in traditional academic settings and the requirements of the modern job market. By aligning educational content with employment needs, Lagos State aims to prepare its graduates for lucrative opportunities that will contribute to the state’s economic growth.
Discussants Highlight the Need for Specialized Knowledge
Panel discussions at the Jobs Initiative Lagos closing ceremony emphasized the critical importance of keeping up with technological advances in the workforce. Speakers warned that the rapid pace of digital transformation presents both opportunities and challenges for young professionals. Those lacking knowledge in emerging technologies may struggle to find or maintain employment, while those who have prepared adequately are likely to succeed.
Discussants noted that the programme addresses these issues by equipping students with vital skills for the digital era. “In a world increasingly dominated by technology, it is those who are skilled and adaptable who will excel,” one discussant said, reinforcing the message of the Lagos State government’s initiative.
The Jobs Initiative Lagos programme is aligned with #AGreaterLagosRising, an overarching vision for Lagos State’s transformation into a hub of innovation, opportunity, and economic strength. The programme’s recent graduation ceremony is a testament to the government’s commitment to empowering its young population and paving the way for a prosperous future for the state.
