Blessing Taiwo
The Lagos State Government says over 35,101 residents have been trained in various skills under the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) since its inception in 2019.
Also, 18,990 residents who had graduated from the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation tuition-free skills acquisition programme received business start-up equipment to boost entrepreneurship in Lagos.
This was made known on Tuesday during the first phase of 2026 MESI scheme presentation of business tools to 3,792 beneficiaries held at the LTV 8 blue roof, Ikeja.
Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the empowerment tools and equipment distributed will strengthen their businesses, improve their livelihoods and significantly contribute to the economic growth of the state.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the scheme is part of his administration’s commitment to building a Lagos where no one is left behind and the fulfillment of his promise in THEMES+ Agenda to improve the standard of living for residents.
He said, “The Micro Enterprise Support Initiative is one of the clearest expressions of this administration’s commitment to inclusive governance. It is more than the distribution of tools and equipment; it is the fulfilment of our promise to give our people the means to create wealth, build sustainable businesses, generate employment and achieve financial independence.
“Over the last seven years, we have consistently demonstrated that our promises are backed by action. We have deliberately invested in our people, because the greatest legacy of any government is not the projects it builds but the lives it transforms.”
The governor charged recipients to use the tools effectively as instruments for a better future.
“Grow your businesses, create employment, support your families and become ambassadors of enterprise within your communities,” he told them.
Earlier in her address, Hon. Bolaji Dada, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), said the MESI scheme was designed to establish sustainable businesses by providing start-up equipment that transforms learning into livelihoods.
Highlighting the business tools available, Dada said, “today’s beneficiaries will receive a wide range of business support equipment carefully selected to meet the needs of various trades and professions.
“These include sewing and stoning machines, photography cameras with stands, aluminium and tile cutting machines, imported pepper grinding machines, deep freezers, popcorn machines, vulcanising machines, pedicure and manicure kits, cake mixers, baking pans and weighing scales, complete hairdressing and barbing sets with generators, clippers, sterilisers, hair extensions and washing accessories, two-phase gas burners with 40-inch iron cooking pots, agricultural equipment including cassava graters, pressers and fryers, agricultural dehydrators, as well as food items comprising rice, beans, garri and semovita for women engaged in the raw food business.
“These are not merely empowerment items; they are instruments of transformation that will generate income, create jobs, strengthen families and contribute meaningfully to the continued economic growth of Lagos State.
For a better society
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
