The Honourable Commissioner for the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Comrade Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to empowering young people, artisans and tradesmen with industry-relevant skills following the flag-off of the 2026 LACOSTA Youth Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony for the year 2026 Up-skilling programme for Practising Tradesmen and Artisans, Ajigbotafe described the initiative as another demonstration of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to skills development, enterprise support and sustainable wealth creation. He noted that artisans and tradesmen remain key drivers of Lagos State’s economy, contributing significantly to sectors such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, fashion, electrical installation, plumbing, garment making and auto body services.
The Commissioner said that in today’s rapidly evolving economy, acquiring a skill alone is no longer enough. He explained that continuous learning and professional development have become essential as emerging technologies, modern work methods and changing customer expectations require artisans to continually upgrade their knowledge and expertise to remain competitive.
He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training by embracing innovation, improving their technical competence and delivering quality services. According to him, skills are lifelong assets that no one can take away and remain critical to creating sustainable livelihoods and expanding business opportunities.
Ajigbotafe also urged young participants to remain committed to learning, discipline and hard work, stressing that success is achieved through perseverance, sacrifice and continuous self-improvement. He commended the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, facilitators and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative, expressing confidence that the programme would strengthen the state’s skilled workforce, promote entrepreneurship and contribute to Lagos State’s economic growth.
