Lagos State has launched its 2026 upskilling programme for tradesmen and artisans, targeting 1,200 beneficiaries in an eight-week initiative aimed at boosting productivity, expanding employment opportunities, and strengthening small businesses.
The programme, organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, was flagged off at the STO Resource Centre in Alausa, Ikeja. It focuses on practical technical, entrepreneurial, and hands-on training to help participants improve their expertise, business capacity, and adaptability to evolving market demands.
Programme details and objectives
Speaking at the launch, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, stated that the initiative is part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader strategy to develop human capital and promote economic inclusion across the state. According to Ajigbotafe, the programme supports the administration’s THEMES+ Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, social inclusion, and employment generation.
The commissioner explained that the training will expose artisans to modern work methods and technological skills necessary to increase efficiency, improve service quality, and make their businesses more competitive in a technology-driven economy.
The eight-week programme will run simultaneously at three Government Technical Colleges: Agidingbi, Ikotun, and Ikorodu. Each session will emphasise practical learning tailored to the participants' specific trades and specialisations.
Working tools and job connections
Ajigbotafe disclosed that all 1,200 successful beneficiaries will receive working tools upon completing the programme. This additional support is designed to help them enhance their businesses and service delivery.
The ministry is also exploring ways to expand access to business opportunities for artisans by connecting them with jobs and contracts from ministries, departments, and agencies of the Lagos State Government. This effort aims to create a sustainable pipeline of work for trained artisans.
The commissioner encouraged participants to take the training seriously, stressing that continuous learning, innovation, and adaptation are increasingly vital for artisans operating in an evolving economy.
Broader context and other initiatives
In a related development, Innoson Kiara Academy has partnered with the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) to train and employ 5,000 youths in the South-East over the next two years. That initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment through vocational training in areas such as welding, engineering, and fashion. It aligns with the “Nigeria First” policy and reflects Innoson’s commitment to youth empowerment and promoting made-in-Nigeria products.
