KEY POINTS
- Lagos trains over 500 students in business and digital skills.
- JIL bridges the gap between academia and industry needs.
- Initiative aligns with Lagos’ goal of becoming a tech hub in Africa.
The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering economic growth and technological advancement by training undergraduates in business, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. This initiative, known as the *Job Initiative Lagos* (JIL), aims to prepare students for the demands of the 21st-century workforce while addressing graduate unemployment in the state.
Job initiative Lagos equips students for modern challenges
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-week intensive training programme, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described JIL as more than just a skills development initiative. “It is a movement empowering students and youths to transform the economy and build a better future,” he stated.
Over 500 participants from five state-owned tertiary institutions participated in the programme. They received training in various critical areas, including business creation, digital technologies, financial management, communication skills, coding, and entrepreneurship. The initiative aligns with Sanwo-Olu’s vision to position Lagos as a hub for technological innovation and economic progress in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the programme demonstrates his administration’s dedication to preparing Lagos youths for global competitiveness while creating opportunities for economic self-reliance.
Bridging academia and industry through entrepreneurship
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, commended the programme’s success, particularly its entrepreneurial focus, which effectively bridges the gap between academic training and industry needs.
“Today marks the culmination of our collective efforts to empower our youths with industry-recognized skills, entrepreneurial mindsets, and innovative thinking,” Sule said at the event. He shared testimonials from participants who lauded the programme for its practical approach and immediate impact on their career readiness.
The commissioner further assured attendees of the state government’s continued commitment to investing in infrastructure and tertiary education. He stressed that the administration remains focused on equipping youths to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce and contribute meaningfully to Lagos State’s development.
Lagos builds a future-ready workforce
Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that JIL aligns with the state’s broader agenda of leveraging artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and digital technologies to drive growth and development. “With *Job Initiative Lagos*, undergraduates in state-owned tertiary institutions can acquire industry-recognized skills and entrepreneurial mindsets to thrive in the 21st-century workforce,” he said.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to solidify Lagos as a leading technological and economic hub in Africa. By investing in forward-thinking programmes like JIL, Lagos State continues to empower its youth to be agents of innovation and economic transformation.
