Hamzat promises skills training, innovation support for Lagos youths
By Adeola Ogunrinde
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has promised to expand youth engagement, skills development and innovation initiatives if elected governor.
Hamzat made the pledge during an interactive session organised by the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, where he outlined plans to equip young people with practical skills and create opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Responding to questions from both young and experienced engineers, the deputy governor stressed the need to combine vocational training with practical skills development in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics and other technologies.
He proposed a partnership between the state government, businesses and professional bodies to encourage the training of young people through apprenticeship programmes. Under the proposed arrangement, the government would provide 40 per cent funding for apprentices’ stipends to encourage participating businesses to take on trainees.
According to Hamzat, the initiative would help young people acquire relevant skills and professional certifications, thereby improving their employability and access to financing opportunities.
He also promised to strengthen the capacity of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council to provide greater support for young innovators through funding, investment opportunities and international exposure.
The proposed expansion, he said, would enable young entrepreneurs to develop their ideas, commercialise innovations and scale their businesses. It is also expected to strengthen the state’s innovation ecosystem and create more opportunities for technology-driven enterprises.
Hamzat said the proposed initiatives would deepen youth participation in economic development by connecting skills acquisition, professional training and innovation with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
