Lagos Boosts Youth Employment Through UK Study Tour

The Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, along with the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Lolade Aina, Director of Employment, Mr. Shitta Lateef, and Director of Partnership, Mrs. Adeniyi, embarked on a study tour and knowledge exchange programme to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council in the United Kingdom. The delegation visited the Barking Learning Centre to understudy its operations, gaining insights into effective strategies for workforce development and youth engagement.

The ongoing study tour is designed to be both insightful and inspiring, aligning with the Ministry’s mandate to create sustainable wealth and generate employment opportunities for youths and entrepreneurs in Lagos State. By observing the centre’s innovative approaches, the delegation aims to identify methods to strengthen Lagos State’s own employment and skills development initiatives.

During the visit, the delegation plans to engage with council officials on key areas, including enhancing and developing more robust job centres, improving partnership engagement, implementing youth employment and skills development programmes, and exploring innovative ways to ensure effective youth engagement. These discussions are expected to provide actionable insights that can be adapted to Lagos State’s socio-economic context.

The study tour also offers a unique platform for the Ministry to examine global best practices in workforce development, reskilling systems, and employability pathways. By understanding how international institutions operate, the Lagos delegation hopes to adopt strategies that align with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the current administration, ensuring that young Lagosians have access to practical, high-quality opportunities for career growth and entrepreneurship.

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Ultimately, the programme is expected to strengthen Lagos State’s interventions addressing youth unemployment and underemployment. It will also reinforce partnerships between the State, local industries, and international development stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative approach to creating sustainable jobs and empowering the next generation of Lagosian entrepreneurs.