LAGOS GOVT BEGINS FIRST PHASE OF 2026 MESI, EMPOWERS 3,792 BENEFICIARIES (PHOTOS)
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), on Tuesday flagged off the first phase of the 2026 Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), empowering 3,792 residents with tools and equipment to strengthen small businesses, improve livelihoods and reduce poverty across the state.
Speaking at the empowerment programme held at De Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities, reducing poverty and promoting self-reliance among Lagosians.
“The strength of any government is measured not merely by the size of its economy or the scale of its infrastructure, but by how many lives it touches and how many people it empowers to succeed,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the beneficiaries would receive tools and equipment to establish or expand their businesses, improve household incomes, and contribute to the state’s economic development.
He said the initiative aligns with the objectives of the THEMES+ Agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth by ensuring that development reaches urban, rural, and riverine communities across Lagos.
According to the governor, artisans, traders, women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and young people remain the backbone of the state’s economy, adding that empowering them would stimulate economic activities, create jobs, and strengthen families.
“When we empower one entrepreneur, we strengthen a family; when we support thousands, we strengthen the economy of Lagos State,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He explained that MESI goes beyond the distribution of work tools, describing it as an investment in human capital aimed at creating wealth, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting financial independence.
Sanwo-Olu said his administration had consistently translated its promises into action through sustained investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, technology, security, social protection, and enterprise development over the past seven years.
He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the equipment provided, expand their businesses, create employment opportunities, and become agents of economic transformation in their communities.
The governor also assured residents that his administration would continue implementing policies that promote entrepreneurship, support small businesses, and ensure that the benefits of governance reach every community in the state.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. (Mrs.) Bolaji Cecilia Dada, described empowerment as a catalyst for lasting social and economic transformation rather than the mere distribution of equipment.
She said the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative was established to bridge the gap between vocational training and business start-ups by equipping graduates of the state’s tuition-free Skills Acquisition Centres with the tools required to establish sustainable businesses.
Dada disclosed that since the inception of the Sanwo-Olu administration, 35,101 residents had graduated from the ministry’s tuition-free Skills Acquisition Centres, while 18,990 beneficiaries had received business start-up equipment through MESI.
“Under this administration, over 35,000 Lagos residents have graduated from our tuition-free Skills Acquisition Centres, while more than 18,000 beneficiaries have received business start-up equipment through the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI).”
“Every piece of equipment presented today represents more than a means of livelihood; it is an investment in brighter futures, stronger families, and a more resilient economy.”
She added that more than 1,100 residents had acquired digital skills, 18,241 people had benefited from the Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme, over 4,040 vulnerable families had received food support under the Ounjẹ Lọ Rẹ Awo initiative, while more than 5,500 widows had been empowered with financial grants to strengthen their businesses.
According to the commissioner, beneficiaries of the 2026 MESI programme received a wide range of business support equipment, including sewing machines, photography kits, catering and baking equipment, pepper grinding machines, deep freezers, agricultural processing machines, complete hairdressing and barbing kits, vulcanising tools and food items to enable them establish or expand their businesses.
Also speaking at the event, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Vice Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon. Dupe Islamiat Badmus, commended the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) for sustaining initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable residents and promoting economic self-reliance.
She described the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative as a life-changing programme that aligns with the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of women, youths, and other vulnerable groups through sustainable economic empowerment.
The First Lady also urged the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the tools and equipment presented to them, encouraging them to grow their businesses, become financially independent and create employment opportunities for others in their communities.
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to creating economic opportunities for vulnerable residents and strengthening micro and small enterprises, which remain critical to the state’s economy.
He said the programme is expected to promote self-reliance, generate employment opportunities, and improve household incomes by helping beneficiaries build sustainable livelihoods.
Hamzat urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the equipment provided, stressing that the initiative should serve as a foundation for building successful businesses rather than being taken for granted.
“This is the first step, and it’s important that we use these tools very well, so that we don’t say it is just a gift and put it off somewhere,” he said.
Also in attendance at the event were the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Member representing Lagos Island Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Princess Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon; Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; top government officials; traditional leaders; community stakeholders; and other invited guests.
The event also featured goodwill messages and testimonials from past beneficiaries of the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative, who shared how the programme had transformed their lives by enabling them to establish and expand successful businesses, improve their household incomes, and achieve financial independence.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) for providing them with the opportunity to become self-reliant, urging the new beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment to build sustainable livelihoods and create employment opportunities for others.
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