Lagos targets 50,000 residents in bold skills drive

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a globally competitive, knowledge-based economy through sustained investment in human capital development.

Speaking at the launch of the Lagos Economic Development Update, LEDU 2026 held at Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the state is prioritising the training of thousands of residents in digital and technical skills to meet global demand.

The LEDU 2026 launch is the third edition which provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening economic stability, enhancing productivity, and driving inclusive development in the state tagged: “Lagos Economic Outlook 2026: Consolidating Resilience, Advancing Competitiveness, Delivering Shared Prosperity.”

According to Hamzat, the government’s long-term vision, as outlined in the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, positions Lagos as a leading human capital hub globally. He noted that the state aims to produce a workforce capable of filling large-scale global talent needs, particularly in the technology sector.

“If global companies like Google require tens of thousands of digital engineers, security experts or coders, Lagos must be ready to supply that talent,” he said.

The Deputy Governor disclosed that the state is currently collaborating with various agencies to train no fewer than 50,000 individuals in areas such as coding, enterprise architecture, and other digital competencies.

He explained that the initiative is part of broader efforts to transition Lagos into a knowledge-driven economy, moving beyond physical infrastructure development to include intellectual and emotional capacity building.

“The essence for us is we must build a knowledge-based economy, not just physically, but even emotionally,” he added.

In the keynote address, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Dr. Tayo Aduloju underscored the need for a strategic shift toward shared prosperity, noting that growth must positively impact the bottom 40 per cent of the population, in line with global development benchmarks.

He said as Lagos looks to the future, there is a need for disciplined execution of policies, expansion of social safety nets, and sustained investment in human capital development.

Dr. Adeloju appraised Lagos State’s resilience and steady growth trajectory which has continued to position it as a leading subnational economy in Africa, adding that the state remains to attract investors, tourists, and migrants, reinforcing its status as a dynamic economic hub comparable to global cities experiencing similar expansion pressures.

He said, “Ultimately, achieving shared prosperity will depend on the state’s ability to translate its economic growth into tangible improvements in the quality of life for all residents. We need to identify boosting productivity through tradable sectors, strengthening industrialization, and enhancing workforce skills to match investment demands.

“Additionally, strong state capacity, predictable regulations, and credible fiscal management were praised as critical factors underpinning Lagos’ attractiveness to investors.”

The event also had panel sessions with experts from both public and private sectors discussing practical strategies to accelerate inclusive growth, deepening public-private partnerships for infrastructure, expanding access to finance for MSMEs, and strengthening workforce capacity through education and skills development.