Lagos Urges Stakeholders to Unite in Tackling Youth Unemployment, Pledges 1,000 New Jobs

The Lagos State Government has called on stakeholders from diverse sectors to collaborate in addressing the rising challenge of unemployment, particularly among young people.

The appeal was made on Wednesday at the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, themed “Passion to Prosperity: Unlocking Youth Potential in Lagos.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Saliu-Hundeyin, emphasised the importance of collective action in generating sustainable employment opportunities. He announced plans to provide 1,000 fresh jobs through the Graduate Internship Placement Programme.

Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos thrives on the creativity and resilience of its youth, citing their contributions across tech, fashion, music, and agriculture. He stressed the need to nurture their passion through quality education, skills training, mentorship, funding, and supportive policies that can transform ideas into tangible results.

Guest speaker Mallam Ahmed Gobir, President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, urged stakeholders to prioritise investment in people, saying, “Unlocking youth potential means amplifying their rhythm, not silencing it. The return on investing in people is exponential.”

Earlier, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, described the forum as a strategic gathering aimed at harnessing youth talent and transforming passion into prosperity.