The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment through digital skills development, supporting an initiative by Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government to train young people in emerging technologies.

The disclosure was made in a statement on Sunday following the eighth edition of the local government’s annual programme, ‘The Mindset with Vice Chairman Lucky Uduikhue,’ which focused on equipping youths with digital competencies.

The event, themed ‘Powering the Next Generation of Digital Leadership,’ was held in partnership with Willis Capital, Wmarkets, and Willis University. More than 3,000 youths participated in training sessions covering FX trading, digital currency investments, and other tech-driven skills aimed at enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Egube, emphasised the importance of youth development in nation-building.

He said, “The Governor’s second agenda has heightened the focus on inclusion for our youth’s population. We see this event as a partnership with the government of Lagos State to encourage self-development, entrepreneurship, and mindset development.”

The Executive Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Fatai Ayoola, said his leadership has been instrumental in driving positive change in the community, and they are grateful for this vision and dedication.

He said, “Our commitment to youth empowerment is evident in various initiatives, including the just-concluded Ajeromi-Ifelodun Youth Empowerment Summit and the Women’s Summit.

“We are committed to bridging the technology gap in Ajegunle and promoting digital inclusion. We believe that by empowering our youths with digital skills, we can unlock their potential and create a brighter future for our community.”

The vice chairman of the local government, Lucky Uduikhue, said that they have empowered over 3000 youths at this year’s event through their partnership with Willis Capital, WMarket, and Datapoint Forex and Tech Academy.

He said, “Today’s message is just about value and that we shouldn’t devalue ourselves. Every youth here will be leaving here with value.

“This year’s edition was massive with a huge turnout of youths, which is an indication that people are ready to move from the direction they are to another direction. Because the world has moved from analogue systems to digital systems, the message of today is about digital inclusion, making sure that people get value from whatever they do for a living.

“The massive turnout of youths and adults alike shows that digital is the way forward. We noticed that most of them have the knowledge but don’t know the direction to go.”

The Chief Operating Officer of Willis Capital, Obinna Aso, expressed delight at the turnout of youths to participate in the programme.

“We are here today to support this initiative and to change the mindset of the youths here positively. We are the official partner of this event this year, and we heard good things about this local government before providing our support. We are going to be training them and providing funding for the talented youths,” he said.