The Lagos State Government has graduated 6,190 residents trained under the 2025 Skills Acquisition Programme of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, urging them to turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.
In a post on its X handle on Wednesday, the graduates, comprising 4,225 females and 1,963 males, were celebrated at a graduation ceremony held on Tuesday at the De Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
Representing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the graduation 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 aimed at giving residents the capacity to create opportunities for themselves and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
According to the governor, the Free Skills Acquisition Centres provide residents with access to vocational and entrepreneurial training at no cost, creating pathways to establish businesses, secure employment and improve their livelihoods.
He urged the graduates to continue developing their skills, embrace innovation and technology, understand customer needs and make effective use of available opportunities.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the Ministry’s Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), which is designed to help beneficiaries transition from training to enterprise.
He said more than 3,800 Lagos residents received productive equipment and business start-up support under the 2026 edition of MESI, including some outstanding graduates of the Skills Acquisition Centres.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, described the programme as a major component of the ministry’s efforts to promote economic independence and reduce poverty.
Dada said WAPA operates 19 Skills Acquisition Centres across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos 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, equipping participants with practical 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 wider access to economic empowerment opportunities.
Delivering a motivational session, Mrs Ariori Rachael Eyitayo challenged the graduates to move from “Learning to Earning.”
She stressed that the value of their training would ultimately be demonstrated by what they create, the services they provide and the value they offer their customers.
“Learning to earning” should be the next step for the graduates, Eyitayo said, urging them to continue improving their crafts and pay attention to quality, discipline, customer relations and market demands.
Some graduates also shared their experiences from the programme.
Sinjeganji Prisca, trained in Hair Dressing and Cosmetology; Okon Essien Babatunde, a graduate of Woodwork and Furniture Making; Azeez Mariam, trained in Catering and Hotel Management; and Omotosho Fathia, a Fashion Designing and Dress Making graduate, expressed appreciation for the training and support received.
The practical impact of the programme was further demonstrated through the presentation of equipment to the best graduating students from each of the Skills Acquisition Centres.
The equipment is expected to enable the outstanding beneficiaries to put their skills into practice and take steps towards establishing or expanding their businesses.
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.
Onigbanjo congratulated the 6,190 graduates and urged them to put their newly acquired skills to productive use while continuing to improve themselves.
