LASG To Prioritize Digital, Entrepreneurship Skills To Combat Youth Unemployment

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its dedication to tackling youth unemployment and poverty by prioritising digital and entrepreneurship skills among students in state-owned tertiary institutions. This reaffirmation was made through the Ministry of Tertiary Education during the government-sponsored Job Initiative Lagos (JIL) programme, held over the weekend at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo campus. The initiative underscores the administration’s focus on preparing young people for a rapidly evolving global economy.

Addressing the students, the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, stated that the present administration under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains firmly committed to the THEMES PLUS Agenda. He noted that despite competing pressures on state resources, the government continues to prioritise digital and entrepreneurial competencies as key tools for empowering graduates to become self-reliant. He urged students to take the training seriously and maximise the opportunity to complement their academic education.

Commissioner Sule further emphasised that the investment being made is from public funds and must be justified by the impact the students create in the future. He encouraged them to use the skills acquired to contribute meaningfully to the state’s economic and productive sectors. According to him, the government’s vision is to ensure that no graduate of a Lagos State-owned institution is left behind in a world increasingly driven by technology and innovation.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Adeniran Kasali, revealed that the training curriculum was carefully designed by leading experts with strong backgrounds in digital and entrepreneurial development. He stated that the facilitators were specially selected for their ability to impart practical knowledge that can be applied in challenging socio-economic environments. Mr. Kasali urged students to put their newly acquired skills to use immediately, even before graduation, stressing that they have been empowered to become future employers of labour.

The Job Initiative Lagos (JIL) training is a three-weekend programme currently taking place simultaneously at LASU and the Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET), Yaba. The initiative forms a core part of the state government’s THEMES PLUS implementation strategy, aimed at equipping undergraduates with the competencies needed to compete for global opportunities. This effort further strengthens Lagos State’s position as an emerging digital and innovation hub in West Africa