Unemployment: Sanwo-Olu urges collaboration, mulls creation of 1,000 jobs

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the need for collaboration among stakeholders across various sectors in addressing the growing challenge of unemployment, particularly among the youth.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call 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.”

The governor, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Abimbola Saliu-Hundeyin, while stressing the need for collective action in creating sustainable job opportunities, assured that his administration was resolved to create another 1,000 jobs through an initiative tagged: “The Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP).”

Sanwo-Olu noted that the forum was about sharing ideas, policy suggestions, and also a call to action to tap into the incredible potential that lies within the youth, saying that Lagos State, as 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,” he said.

Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu identified practical strategies to be explored through education and skill development needed to adapt to the changing demands of the job market, urging that entrepreneurship should be encouraged, not just as an alternative to traditional jobs, but as a powerful driver of innovation and wealth creation.

“Entrepreneurship should be encouraged, not just as an alternative to traditional jobs, but as a powerful driver of innovation and wealth creation.

“We must cultivate an environment where mentorship and collaboration flourish, linking young talents with seasoned professionals who can motivate and guide them,” the governor said.

The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Mallam Ahmed Gobir, who was the guest speaker, charged stakeholders to unlock youth potential not by silencing their beat but by amplifying their rhythm.

Gobir argued that job creation was not charity, but economic survival, noting that every idle youth was an opportunity lost, while every empowered youth was a GDP gained.

“Youth empowerment is not CSR; it is national security. Every idle youth is an opportunity lost; every empowered youth is GDP gained,” Gobir said.

He maintained that business leaders should walk the talk by opening their doors to youth talent, adding: “Let us move from profit first to people first because the return on investing in people is exponential.”

Gobir, therefore, urged the youths not to wait for employment but to deploy their potential to start-ups and become job creators.

The State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, earlier in his welcome address, 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.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Adebayo Olayinka, in his closing remark, affirmed Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to wealth creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable employment for the people.

Olayinka stated that the discussions would form the basis of actionable strategies and policies to better serve Lagosians.

“The ministry assures you that every input shared will be carefully studied and, where applicable, implemented for the greater good of our state,” he said.

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