THE Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to economic inclusion and human capital development as 6,190 trainees from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Free Skills Acquisition Centres officially passed out.
The
graduation ceremony for the 2025 cohort, which held on Tuesday at De Blue Roof,
Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja, brought together state executives,
legislative leaders, community stakeholders and families to celebrate the
beneficiaries’ transition into self-reliance.
Delivering
his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasized
that technical and vocational training under his administration’s THEMES+
agenda is designed to move beyond mere certification to creating sustainable
enterprise and wealth creation.
“Today,
we celebrate 6,190 Lagosians who have acquired more than vocational skills,
they have acquired the capacity to create value, earn a living, and build a
future,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “Training alone is not enough. If you learn
tailoring but have no sewing machine, or acquire baking skills without the
equipment to start production, the journey remains incomplete.”
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The
Governor explained that the state has established a structured pipeline
connecting skill acquisition directly with enterprise support.
He
cited the recent 2026 Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), which
empowered over 3,800 residents, including top-performing WAPA graduates, with
functional tools, startup kits and industrial equipment.
He
urged the newly trained artisans to deploy digital tools to expand their market
reach, maintain professional integrity and mentor others within their local
communities.
Speaking
earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon.
Bolaji Cecilia Dada, stated that the tuition-free centres strategically serve
the five IBILE divisions of the state, with particular focus on women,
unemployed youths and residents in riverine communities.
“Our
vision is to build a society where women, young people and vulnerable members
of our communities have access to practical skills and support that enable them
to become active contributors to the economy,” Dada said.
In her
vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike
Onigbanjo, commended the Governor for prioritizing grassroots empowerment. She
also recognized the legislative support of the Chairman, House Committee on
WAPA, Omolara Oyekan, and lauded the efforts of the Head of the Skills
Acquisition Development Unit, Mrs. Olajumoke Yusuf, along with the
instructional staff across the state’s centres.
Key
Highlights of the WAPA Initiative are, tuition-free training across fashion
design, catering, photography, beauty therapy, agricultural processing and
technical crafts across the state. Direct integration of top-performing
trainees into the state’s Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) for
equipment distribution. Strategic outreach targeting women, youth, and
vulnerable groups across Lagos State’s 20 Local Governments and 37 Local
Council Development Areas.
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