Lagos Government Calls for Partnership with Private Sector to Reduce Unemployment Rate

The Lagos State Government has appealed to stakeholders from various sectors to join forces in addressing the persistent challenge of unemployment, especially among the youth. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the call during the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum, an event organized by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Saliu-Hundeyin, the governor emphasized that collective action is essential for creating sustainable job opportunities. He also announced a new initiative to combat unemployment directly, stating that the government would create an additional 1,000 jobs through its Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP).

“Today is about sharing ideas, policy suggestions, and it is also a call to action to tap into the incredible potential that lies within our young people,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said. He described Lagos as a “hub of innovation and resilience,” highlighting the creativity of its youth across diverse sectors, including technology, fashion, music, and agriculture. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating a supportive ecosystem that provides access to quality education, relevant skills, mentorship, and funding.

The appeal for public-private collaboration was echoed by the guest speaker, Mallam Ahmed Gobir, who serves as the President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). He urged business leaders to see job creation not as a form of corporate social responsibility but as an imperative for economic survival and national security. “Every idle youth is an opportunity lost; every empowered youth is GDP gained,” he stated, encouraging businesses to open their doors to young talent and invest in people.

According to recent data from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Lagos State’s unemployment rate stood at 5.5% in 2023. While lower than the national average, the government’s new initiative signals its determination to further reduce the rate and empower its large youth population to become key contributors to the state’s prosperity.