UPDATED: LAGOS GRADUATES 5,309 STUDENTS FROM SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTRES (PHOTOS)

By: Sefiu Ajape

• As Sanwo-Olu Reveals Over 30,000 Empowered In Last Five Years

The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), on Thursday, held the 2024/2025 graduation ceremony for students across the 20 Skills Acquisition Centres in the state.

The ceremony, which took place at De Blue Roof, LTV 8, Agidingbi, Ikeja, underscores the state government’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, poverty alleviation, and sustainable economic development through vocational education.

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, revealed that over the past five years, the state has trained no fewer than 30,000 women and youths across its skills acquisition centres.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the initiative was designed to empower young entrepreneurs with practical skills and startup tools to launch their own ventures, stressing that entrepreneurship remains a key strategy for combating poverty.

The graduates received training in various trades including vulcanising, welding, aluminum fabrication, carpentry, photography, barbing, catering, hairdressing, bead and hat making, gele tying, and makeup artistry, among others.

Certificates and startup kits were also presented to them.

Describing the event, the governor said: “This graduation ceremony is a gathering of vision and immense potential for the graduates of our skill centres across the state. It also highlights our commitment as a government to engage our youths and most especially women, with skills to turn their life around for good.”

He added: “Over 30,000 students have graduated in the last five to six years from the 20 skill acquisition centres across the state and we remain committed to engage more.”

Sanwo-Olu urged the graduates to make good use of the skills and equipment they had received, encouraging them to be worthy ambassadors of the state.

He went further by praising Mrs. Bolaji Dada, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, for her dedication to uplifting the vulnerable.

“You have acquired practical life changing skills and with the right tools that you received, you can rise above poverty and difficulty,” he added.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, encouraged the graduates to view their empowerment as the start of a promising new chapter.

“Learning is a continuous thing, so retrain yourself and set goals to evaluate your performance every five years. Create value with the skills you have all acquired; plan and remain proactive to grow with the trends,” she said.

She added that their perseverance during training should serve as a beacon of hope and motivation to advance in their chosen fields.

Earlier in her welcome address, WAPA Commissioner, Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, commended the graduates for their commitment and resilience, noting that the training aligned with the THEMES+ development agenda of the state to support grassroots empowerment.

“These individuals, through dedication, resilience, and hard work, have completed their training in various vocational and entrepreneurial skills preparing them to become job creators and employers of labour,” she said.

“This figure is more than just a statistic. It represents 5, 309 new opportunities for economic growth, community upliftment, and poverty alleviation across our state. It is a testament to the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development and the empowerment of every segment of our society especially women, youth and the vulnerable,” she added.

The Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Bolatito Ajibode, delivered an inspiring keynote address on the topic, “Start Small, Dream Big: The Power of Persistence and Growth in Today’s Market.”

In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of consistency, resilience, and long-term vision in building successful businesses.

Ajibode encouraged the graduates to leverage the skills and tools acquired through the training to create value in their communities, stressing that starting small should never limit the magnitude of one’s dreams.

Her message resonated deeply with the audience, especially the newly empowered entrepreneurs.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, while delivering the Vote of Thanks, expressed profound gratitude to all dignitaries, partners, trainers, and guests who contributed to the success of the graduation ceremony.

She applauded the unwavering support of the Lagos State Government and commended the efforts of the Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, for her tireless commitment to women and youth empowerment.

Onigbanjo also congratulated the graduates, urging them to make the most of the opportunities the training had provided.

As part of the ceremony’s highlights, 19 outstanding graduates were specially recognized as Best Students of the Year 2024, representing various skills acquisition centres across Lagos State. These exemplary individuals demonstrated excellence in both learning and practical performance.

Among the honorees were Fatogun Oluronke Omotunde(Agidingbi Centre – Hats and Beads), Adenusi Damilola Emmanuel (Ayobo Centre – Computer Studies), Oyekan Monsurat Toluwalope (Badagry Centre – Catering and Hotel Management), and Fowora Aliu Idris (Egan Centre – Tile Laying/Pave Making), among others.

Their achievements reflect the success of the state’s empowerment initiative in nurturing talent and fostering self-reliance across diverse vocations including hairdressing, aluminium fabrication, fashion design, shoe and leather works, and barbing.

See more photos from the event below: