The Lagos State Government has called for increased private and public investment in skills training and hospitality development, saying the sector is central to the state’s plan to expand jobs and boost tourism revenue.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Diageo Learning for Life (L4L) programme in Nigeria on Friday at Victoria Island, Lagos, the Commissioner, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, said the state’s hospitality industry was growing rapidly and increased investment in skills development to enhance the hospitality sector remain key.
He added that the country’s economic diversification goals depend on the workforce equipped for service-driven industries.
Sule who was represented at the event by the Director, Lagos State Agency for Mass Education, Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo underscored the need for equipping young people with practical skills that would yield maximum productivity.
According to him, “Today’s convocation ceremony is pertinent for the celebration of empowerment, achievement and opportunity. It showcases the importance of equipping our young people with practical skills that will enable them to become productive, self-reliance and economic empowered citizens.
“Learning for life development initiative in partnership with Celebr-8 Lyfe and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) is highly commendable for its focus in practical hospitality, employability and entrepreneurship skills which is critical to our economic growth and social stability programmes; making real opportunities for young people to explore meaningful careers and sustainable livelihood.”
He, however commended partners and organisation’s contributions to human capital development towards investment in the future of the youth.
While congratulating the graduands for their milestone, the Commissioner said, skills and knowledge should serve as the foundation for future success.
He urged graduands to remain hardworking, maintain discipline, and committed to innovative self-development, adding that, “the world encourage creativity. Try to become ambassador of excellence”
He affirmed government continuous commitment to support initiative that promote education, vocational training, entrepreneurship and youth empower, noting that, “investing in people is the investment of the future of our society.”
Earlier, the General Manager, Diageo Nigeria, Adebayo Alli, while delivering his keynote address said, the event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to professionalise, regulate and strengthen the tourism and hospitality sector as a major driver of economic diversification, employment generation, cultural diplomacy and sustainable national development.
He said, “Today is a celebration of resilience, growth, opportunity, and the incredible potential that exists within young Nigerians when they are given access to the right support, training, and platform to thrive.
“At Diageo, we believe that business success and community progress must go hand in hand. That belief is what drives initiatives like Learning for Life; a programme designed not only to equip young people with hospitality and tourism skills, but also to create pathways to confidence, employability, and long-term economic empowerment.
“At Diageo, our commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable social impact remains strong. We see Learning for Life not as a one-off initiative, but as part of a broader commitment to supporting communities, strengthening industries, and creating opportunities for future generations and as we celebrate this important milestone today, we are also excited about the future and the possibilities ahead for this programme in Nigeria,” Mr Alli said.
He added that the programme served to empower young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills that would make for meaningful opportunities within the hospitality sector.
Speaking on the organisation’s achievement, Alli said, “Today, we are proud to say that the programme has exceeded expectations. We successfully trained over 300 young people, surpassing our initial target of 250 participants. Beyond the classroom, more than 150 participants secured internship placements across the hospitality industry, with several already transitioning into permanent employment opportunities.”
He urged the graduands to focus on continuous learning while being resilient and embracing opportunities.
He said, “The hospitality and tourism industry is filled with possibilities, and we are excited to see the impact each of you will make within your workplaces, businesses, and communities.”
He commended the partners; Celebr-8 Lyfe, LSETF, hospitality partners, facilitators, mentors, and every stakeholder who contributed to making this programme a success.
Also, the Minister of Art and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who was represented by the Deputy Director of the ministry, Idera Folakemi hailed the initiative for impacting meaningfully in the life of young people in the country.
She said, “the programme is very critical in equipping young people with relevant skills in hospitality and boosting employability and healthy workplace culture that create economic value. This initiative came to bridge the gap; not just for skills but open doors for more investment in youths.”
She urged the graduating students to embrace wider opportunities to learn and be confident in their professional service delivery.
“The talent you built today will shape the future you create tomorrow, keep adding value to the society and be an ambassador of learning for life,” she stressed.
She, however, reaffirmed government efforts in promoting tourism, investing in hospitality culture and the creative economy to stand out and remain critical pillars for national prosperity, job creation and sustainable development.
The Minister, Youths and Social Development, Mobolaji Abubakre harped on creativity and innovation as strategic tools for economic growth, tourism expansion and national development.
He said, “tourism and the hospitality sector remain one of the strongest pathways for economic growth and job creation, however, not everyone will end in a white-collar job. Young people with skills plays a critical role in the economic growth of our nation.”
He urged the graduands to stand tall and be confident of their skills, “Be passionate, proud in your chosen skills while delivery your professional service.”
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