The Lagos State government says it will create another 1,000 jobs through its Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) initiative.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this at the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment Stakeholders’ Forum 2025, themed “Passion to Prosperity: Unlocking Youth Potential in Lagos,” on Wednesday in Ikeja.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, urged stakeholders across sectors to unite in tackling the rising unemployment challenge, especially among young people.

He emphasised the need for collective action in creating sustainable job opportunities for youths, urging stakeholders to share ideas, propose policies, and harness the immense potential within young people.

“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.

The governor said practical strategies needed to be explored through education and skill development to adapt to the changing demands of the job market.

He stressed that 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,” he said.

The guest speaker of the forum, Ahmed Gobir, urged stakeholders to unlock youth potential, not by silencing their beat but by amplifying their rhythm.

Mr Gobir, president and chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), stressed that job creation was not charity but a matter of economic survival.

The CIPM president urged business leaders to walk the talk by opening their doors to youth talent.

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

Earlier in his welcome address, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, described the gathering as a strategic meeting with a common goal of unlocking the potential of young people.

(NAN)