Lagos Commissioner Unveils Ambitious Plan To Lift 4 Million Residents Out Of Poverty by 2027

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that over 133 million Nigerians, accounting for 63% of the population, live in poverty, with many facing challenges in areas such as energy, sanitation, healthcare access, food security, and housing. Lagos State, with an estimated population of 22 million, grapples with a poverty rate of 8.5%, translating to approximately 1,263,279 people living in extreme poverty……CONTINUE READING

To address these issues, Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, is implementing an ambitious three-year plan known as the ‘Empower Lagos’ project. In an interview, Ajigbotafe highlighted the project’s three main categories: post-NYSC, Artisans, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The post-NYSC category focuses on individuals seeking white-collar jobs. Through a comprehensive process involving training, mentorship, and certification in collaboration with the private sector, the initiative aims to secure profitable engagements for these individuals.

The Artisans category aims to train individuals in various skills such as plumbing and carpentry, empowering them with the necessary tools and support. The project includes a ‘train-the-trainers’ program to ensure a sustainable impact on employment.

For SMEs, the project plans to train and equip individuals for entrepreneurship, with a goal to uplift 500,000 to a million people out of poverty by 2027. Ajigbotafe emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating that mentors would guide and nurture trainees, even after the completion of their training.

The ‘Empower Lagos’ project also involves the establishment of hubs, such as the Leather Hub in Matori, Mushin, which is 80% completed. Other hubs include ICT, Agro, Wood and Furniture, and Textile Hubs, providing spaces for exhibitions and trade of locally produced goods.

Ajigbotafe expressed confidence that the project, with support from the private sector, NGOs, and international donors, would contribute to sustainable development. The commissioner’s vision is to lift four million people out of poverty by 2027, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of Lagosians.