Lagos govt empowers 40,000 residents with business tools to boost SMEs

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said his administration has empowered about 40,000 residents with business tools to boost small and medium-scale businesses in the State over the past seven years.

Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos State Government empowered the residents with business equipment under the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) Empowerment Programme in line with its commitment to poverty reduction, economic inclusion and entrepreneurship across the State.

Speaking during the Year 2026 Micro Enterprise Support Initiative Empowerment Programme organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the initiative aimed to improve livelihoods and enable residents to become economically self-reliant, productive and prosperous.

He said the initiative demonstrates his administration’s resolve to improve livelihoods by providing residents with the tools needed to build sustainable businesses and achieve financial independence.

The governor said the MESI programme aligns with the THEMES+ Agenda, stressing that empowering small business owners, artisans, traders, women and young entrepreneurs is critical to strengthening the state’s economy.

Sanwo-Olu said: “Over the last seven years, we have consistently demonstrated that our promises are backed by action. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, technology, security, social protection and enterprise development, we have continued to build a Lagos that works for everyone. At the same time, 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.

“This administration believes that true leadership is about creating opportunities, not dependency. Every empowerment package distributed today represents hope renewed, dreams restored and renewed confidence in the ability of our people to succeed through hard work and determination.

“As we continue to implement the THEMES+ Agenda, let me assure every Lagosian that this administration will remain focused on keeping its promises.

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“We will continue to invest in our people, expand opportunities for small businesses, strengthen economic inclusion and ensure that the benefits of good governance reach every ward, every community and every household across Lagos State, so that we can continue to build a Lagos where opportunity is within everyone’s reach, enterprise is rewarded, hard work is encouraged, and prosperity is shared.”

Sanwo-Olu commended the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, for her commitment to advancing the incumbent administration’s economic empowerment agenda through impactful programmes such as MESI, which continue to transform lives across Lagos State.

He also congratulated the beneficiaries and reiterated that the tools given to them are not simply items of empowerment but instruments to build a better future.

“Grow your businesses, create employment, support your families and become ambassadors of enterprise within your communities,” he advised.

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said the
tools given to the beneficiaries were to encourage and empower them after their training.

He urged them to register with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, LSETF, to support them with funding to scale up as they grow.

Also speaking, Dada said the Lagos State Government is committed to building a society where women are empowered to achieve socio-economic wellbeing while ensuring residents have access to skills development among other benefits.

On his part, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture of the state government and make the best use of the items, restating the commitment to make life better for the people in its bid to eradicate poverty.

Beneficiaries of the programme thanked Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for the training and empowerment which they said had continued to add value to their lives and families as they experienced sustainable growth.

The business tools presented at the event included sewing and stoning machines, a two-face burner with a gas cylinder, an imported pepper grinding machine, catering utensils, pedicure equipment, hairdressing and barbering kits, photography equipment, agricultural processing machines, deep freezers, popcorn machines, grinding machines, and raw food items for traders, among others.