With Nigeria’s unemployment rate at 5.3 percent, the Lagos State government is ready to work with corporate and civil society leaders to address the pervasive challenges of youth employment.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe stated this at the state forum on the graduate internship placement program (GIPP).

The GIPP is a paid internship program that helps graduates gain skills and experience to prepare them for the job market.

He remarked that the government was willing to engage with key players from diverse sectors—such as governmental institutions, business organizations, international bodies, and civil society-to gather insights, disseminate knowledge, and implement evidence-based programs aimed at addressing youth unemployment. Additionally, he pointed out the necessity of capitalising on this shared knowledge to boost investments in more effective and sustainable approaches.

With some 75 million young people in the developing world unemployed and hundreds of millions more underemployed, analysts agree that youth employment is one of the century’s most pressing problems.

He asserted that tackling youth unemployment necessitates a comprehensive and innovative strategy that promotes entrepreneurship, encourages skill enhancement, and recognizes commendable behaviors.

He emphasized that providing quality employment opportunities for young people is a primary concern for the government, especially as thousands of youths are entering the workforce, noting that the economy must generate jobs to maintain stable employment levels.

He stated that Lagos is dedicated to collaborating with progressive employers who are focused on nurturing diverse talent through their involvement in the GIPP program. He elaborated that the objective is to partner with recruitment agencies to reinforce their dedication to this initiative, enhance the skills of young individuals, stimulate growth in the private sector, foster job creation, and promote entrepreneurship along with the establishment of new enterprises.

He expressed that the government aims to provide young individuals with sustainable career opportunities and to facilitate their early integration into the workforce.

He emphasized that this objective can only be realized through a collaborative effort with private sector organizations that support the GIPP program, allowing local youth to gain workplace responsibilities, thereby integrating them into the professional realm and contributing their skills to the growth of organizations.

He noted: “This year's meeting is thought-provoking and encompassing as it involves improving collaboration between government and recruitment agencies,offtakers& sponsoring companies to address challenges, develop policies and solicit support to enhance the success of the programme.”

According to him, Lagos makes a point of teaming up with forward-thinking employers committed to developing diverse talent by participating in the GIPP program.

“We are providing employability training first degree holders for three weeks. The graduates will undergo rigorous in employability skills .”

He emphasised that the government is committed to implementing new initiatives aimed at training, attracting, and retaining talent in critical sectors, thereby ensuring that Lagos emerges as a prominent center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth.

He stated that Lagos presents a significant opportunity for ambitious youth and organizations seeking to invest in talent and skill development.

The GIPP is a paid internship that offers post-NYSC graduates the chance to start a career while developing important behavioral competencies, emotional intelligence, and soft skills.

The post-NYSC Graduates are selected through the Computer-Based Test (CBT) assessment, after which there would be a three-week Intensive employability training with globally accepted certifications. Upon completion, successful candidates will be placed on three-month Internships in various organisations based on the course of study with a monthly stipend of N60,000 by the Lagos State Government.