The Lagos State Government has celebrated 6,190 residents who graduated from the 2025 Skills Acquisition Programme of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), urging them to transform their newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods and businesses.
The graduates, comprising 4,225 females and 1,963 males, were honoured at a ceremony held on Tuesday, September 2, 2026, at the De Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja. Representing the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the programme reflected the administration’s commitment to equipping residents with practical skills to improve household incomes, create employment and strengthen economic participation.
According to the Governor, the State’s Free Skills Acquisition Centres provide residents with tuition-free vocational and entrepreneurial training, creating opportunities for beneficiaries to establish businesses, secure employment and improve their livelihoods. He urged the graduates to continually upgrade their skills, embrace technology and innovation, understand market demands and make strategic use of available opportunities.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the Ministry’s Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), designed to help beneficiaries transition from training to enterprise. He disclosed that more than 3,800 Lagos residents benefited from the 2026 edition of the initiative through the provision of productive equipment and business start-up support, including some outstanding graduates of the Skills Acquisition Centres.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, described the programme as a key component of the Ministry’s efforts to promote economic independence and reduce poverty. She disclosed that WAPA operates 19 Skills Acquisition Centres across the five IBILE Divisions, in addition to the Women Development Centre in Agege, bringing the total number of training locations to 20.
The Commissioner explained that the centres offer tuition-free vocational and entrepreneurial training in various fields, while the Ministry also extends its skills development initiatives to grassroots, rural and riverine communities to ensure wider access to economic empowerment opportunities.
Delivering a motivational session, Mrs. Ariori Rachael Eyitayo challenged the graduates to move from “Learning to Earning”, stressing that the true value of their training would be reflected in what they create, the services they offer and the value they provide to customers. She urged them to prioritise quality, discipline, continuous learning, customer relations and a good understanding of the market.
Some of the graduates, including Sinjeganji Prisca, trained in Hair Dressing and Cosmetology; Okon Essien Babatunde, Woodwork and Furniture Making; Azeez Mariam, Catering and Hotel Management; and Omotosho Fathia, Fashion Designing and Dress Making, expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing the training as a platform to advance their careers.
As part of the ceremony, equipment was presented to the best graduating students from each of the Skills Acquisition Centres to enable them to put their newly acquired skills into practice and take steps towards establishing or expanding their businesses.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, commended the Lagos State Government for sustaining the programme and appreciated the Directors, instructors, parents and guardians for their contributions to its success. She congratulated the 6,190 graduates and encouraged them to put their skills to productive use while continually improving themselves.
