The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has restated its dedication to fostering economic development and enhancing governance through artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and digital technologies. This commitment was emphasized during the recent closing ceremony of the Ministry of Tertiary Education’s Jobs Initiative Lagos (JIL) program, held in Ikeja.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, highlighted that JIL represents more than just a training program; it is a movement aimed at empowering students and young people to reshape the economy and build a prosperous future for Lagos.
Transforming Unemployment into Opportunity
Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that the JIL initiative addresses graduate unemployment by providing participants with comprehensive training across various fields. This includes business development, digital technology skills, communication techniques, employability fundamentals, financial literacy, coding, and entrepreneurship. According to the governor, the program aligns with the vision of transforming Lagos into a hub of technological innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Addressing over 500 participants who attended the three-week intensive training program drawn from Lagos’s five state-owned tertiary institutions, Sanwo-Olu conveyed the administration’s dedication to advancing the state’s standing in technological and economic development. He noted that this program allows undergraduates to gain vital industry-recognized skills, adopt entrepreneurial mindsets, and nurture innovative thinking to navigate the demands of a 21st-century workforce.
Impact of the Jobs Initiative Lagos
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, lauded the program’s impact, saying, “Today marks the culmination of our collective efforts to empower our youths with essential skills, a spirit of entrepreneurship, and innovative capabilities.” Sule pointed out that the program’s entrepreneurial focus successfully connects academia with industry needs, inspiring testimonies from participants who have experienced its benefits firsthand.
Sule further emphasized that the Lagos State government remains steadfast in its commitment to improving educational infrastructure and quality, ensuring its youth are prepared for the challenges of modern job markets.
Insights on AI in the Workforce
Mr. Samuel Egube, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Government and the lead speaker at the event, delivered a lecture titled “Maximising the Transforming Capabilities of Artificial Intelligence in the 21st Century Workplace.” He encouraged participants to view the Jobs Initiative Lagos as an opportunity to hone skills that prepare them for future challenges. The training, he noted, is designed to make participants self-reliant and capable of adapting to emerging technologies.
Egube emphasized that individuals equipped with the right skills and experience will be better positioned to navigate the complexities and competition within a technology-driven job market.
The Jobs Initiative Lagos is part of the state’s strategic programs to prepare students in state-owned institutions for careers in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and coding. These skills are essential for mitigating unemployment among graduates from Lagos State tertiary institutions and fostering economic independence among young people.
Through this initiative, Lagos State reinforces its ambition to rise as a leader in technology, ensuring that young graduates have the resources and training to achieve economic self-sufficiency in the evolving digital economy.
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