The Lagos State Government has appealed to stakeholders across various sectors to collaborate in addressing the growing challenge of unemployment, particularly among the youth.
The call was made on Wednesday during the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, with the theme: “Passion to Prosperity: Unlocking Youth Potential in Lagos.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Saliu-Hundeyin, stressed the need for collective action in creating sustainable job opportunities and pledged to create 1,000 fresh jobs through an initiative tagged ‘The Graduate Internship Placement Programme.’
Sanwo-Olu said, “Today is about sharing ideas and policy suggestions; it is a call to action to tap into the incredible potential that lies within our young people. Lagos State, a hub of innovation and resilience, is fortunate to have a youth demographic that is dynamic, driven, and eager to make a difference.
“From the bustling tech hubs in Yaba to the vibrant fashion centres in Ikeja, the music studios in Surulere, and the agricultural lands in Epe, every part of Lagos showcases the creativity and hard work of our youth. Their passion shines through their daring ideas, and their contributions are shaping the future of our state.
“We need to nurture that passion, provide direction, and turn it into real results. This is where thoughtful and strategic leadership plays a crucial role. As a government, we have to keep creating an environment that allows passion to blossom into success, which means ensuring access to quality education, relevant skills, mentorship, funding, and a supportive ecosystem.”
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Mallam Ahmed Gobir, who was the guest speaker, charged stakeholders to unlock youth potential not by silencing their beat but by amplifying their rhythm.
“Let us move from profit first to people. Because the return on investing in people is exponential,” he added.
Earlier on in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, said the gathering was more than an event but a strategic meeting for a common goal to unlock the potential of young people and transform their passion into immeasurable prosperity.
