Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged youths in Lagos State to become employers by building globally competitive businesses instead of relying solely on paid employment within the creative industry.

The governor spoke on Tuesday during the maiden graduation ceremony of the Eko Studio Culture Programme held at Alausa, Ikeja.

The ceremony, with the theme ‘Creating Wealth, Elevating Lagos Creatives,’ celebrated 570 graduands trained under the state’s creative talent development initiative.

Mr Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, who delivered the governor’s message to participants and invited guests.

Mr Sanwo-Olu challenged the graduates to transform their creative talents into sustainable enterprises capable of competing across Africa and global markets.

“Think beyond creating content, create businesses and build brands that can compete across Africa and the world,” the governor said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said creative ideas conceived in Lagos State possessed the potential to reach millions of people worldwide through innovation and digital technology.

He encouraged the graduands to embrace technology, continuous learning and self-improvement to expand their skills and increase their global competitiveness.

He said talent may create opportunities, but lasting success depends on character, professionalism and consistency in delivering quality work.

He described the graduation as a celebration of talent, resilience and the opportunities created when young people receive practical and relevant skills.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the ceremony’s theme reflected the increasing importance of the creative economy in generating jobs, attracting investment and promoting innovation.

He noted that Lagos State occupied a strategic position within the global creative landscape through internationally recognised music, film and fashion industries.

The governor highlighted events, including the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Lagos Fashion Week and Art X Lagos as examples of the state’s creative strength.

He said such platforms showcased Lagos’ immense talent while stimulating tourism, investment and wider economic activities across the state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the government remained committed to supporting creative talents through targeted initiatives and strategic investments in skills development.

He said the Skill Up Lagos initiative, under the Lagos Cultural Mission, had trained more than 1,000 creatives during the past two years.

The governor added that the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment partnered the Ishk Tolaram Foundation on the ‘Get Skilled, Earn Money’ programme.

He explained that the initiative offered free vocational training alongside paid internships to equip young Lagos residents with employable and entrepreneurial skills.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also said specialised ICT training, delivered with Mactay Consulting, enabled hundreds of youths to obtain globally recognised professional certifications.

He noted that Lagos recently launched a N10 billion Cooperative Fund supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, including businesses established by the graduands.

According to him, the government’s THEMESPlus Agenda prioritises building a modern economy where creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship flourish.

Earlier, the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, said the programme targeted youths interested in careers within the entertainment industry.

Mr Agoro described entertainment as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product, popularly regarded as the country’s “new oil.”

He stated that 570 youths from Lagos’ five administrative divisions completed intensive two-month technical and practical training under the 2025 Talent Hunt Eko Studio Culture Programme.

“The participants underwent intensive training over two months, acquiring technical and practical skills needed to succeed in the modern creative industry.

Mr Agoro said, “I encourage you to put what you have learnt into good use for yourselves and society. I have no doubt many will contribute remarkably.”

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment where young people could thrive and contribute meaningfully to economic development.

The state Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, described the graduation as recognition of talent, resilience, dedication and fresh opportunities.

“Today is more than a graduation ceremony; it is a celebration of talent, hard work, resilience and opportunity,” Mr Ajigbotafe said.

He said some graduates would secure employment, while others would establish businesses and eventually become employers within the expanding creative industry.

Mr Ajigbotafe commended the state government for sustaining youth empowerment initiatives that promoted creativity, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.

The graduands received training across music production, sound engineering, disc jockeying, music business, composition and other specialised creative disciplines. 

(NAN)