The Lagos State Government has celebrated the graduation of 6,190 residents trained under the 2025 Skills Acquisition Program of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), urging beneficiaries to turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable sources of income.
The graduates, comprising 4,225 females and 1,963 males, were honoured at a graduation ceremony held on Tuesday, September 2, 2026, at the De Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja.
Representing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the graduation demonstrated the administration’s commitment to equipping residents with practical skills that could improve household incomes and expand economic participation.
She said the state’s investment in skills development was designed to empower residents to create opportunities for themselves while contributing to Lagos’ economic growth.
According to the Governor, the state’s Free Skills Acquisition Centres offer residents access to vocational and entrepreneurial training at no cost, providing opportunities to establish businesses, gain employment and improve their livelihoods.
Sanwo-Olu urged the graduates to continue developing their skills, embrace innovation and technology, understand customer needs and take advantage of available opportunities.
He also highlighted the Ministry’s Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), which is designed to help beneficiaries transition from training to enterprise.
Through the 2026 edition of MESI, more than 3,800 Lagos residents received productive equipment and business start-up support, including some outstanding graduates of the Skills Acquisition Centres.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, described the Skills Acquisition Programme as a key component of the ministry’s efforts to promote economic independence and reduce poverty among Lagos residents.
Dada said WAPA operates 19 Skills Acquisition Centres across the five IBILE divisions of the state, alongside the Women Development Centre in Agege, bringing the total number of training locations to 20.
She explained that the centres provide 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 programs extend to grassroots, rural and riverine communities to ensure that residents across the state have access to economic empowerment opportunities.
Delivering a motivational session, Mrs Ariori Rachael Eyitayo challenged the graduates to move from “Learning to Earning”, stressing that the true value of their training would be demonstrated by the businesses they create, services they provide and value they deliver to customers.
She urged them to continue learning and improving their crafts while prioritising quality, discipline, customer relations and a proper understanding of the market.
Some graduates also shared their experiences, expressing appreciation for the training and support they received.
Among them were Sinjeganji Prisca, trained in Hair Dressing and Cosmetology; Okon Essien Babatunde, a Woodwork and Furniture Making graduate; Azeez Mariam, trained in Catering and Hotel Management; and Omotosho Fathia, a Fashion Designing and Dress Making graduate.
They described the program as an opportunity to advance their careers and improve their economic prospects.
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 support is expected to enable the beneficiaries to apply their skills, establish new businesses or expand existing ones.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, appreciated the Lagos State Government for sustaining the programme and commended the Directors, instructors, parents and guardians for their contributions.
She congratulated the 6,190 graduates and urged them to put their newly acquired skills to productive use while continuing to improve themselves.
(LASG)
