Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government says it has disbursed ₦1.933 billion in loans and grants to micro, small and medium enterprises in a major push to stimulate economic growth and tackle unemployment.
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe discloses the intervention during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja on Thursday.
According to Ajigbotafe, the support is implemented through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.
He says ₦1.91 billion is disbursed as affordable loans to 4,036 MSMEs, while ₦23.628 million in grants supports 65 businesses.
“Affordable loans worth ₦1.91 billion were disbursed to 4,036 MSMEs, driving business growth and job creation,” he says.
The commissioner adds that 8,454 businesses benefit from capacity-building programmes, while 848 entrepreneurs gain access to market opportunities.
Ajigbotafe says 3,456 residents receive vocational and technical training through partnerships with organisations including the German Agency for International Cooperation, King’s Trust International and United Nations Development Programme.
According to him, 2,127 trainees are successfully placed in jobs.
The commissioner also announced a new partnership with UNDP to train an additional 2,000 Lagos residents in 2026.
He says inclusion programmes also support 50 women in construction and 100 persons with disabilities through vocational skills training.
Ajigbotafe reveals that LSETF incubates 50 startups and launches a new cohort of the Female Founders and Funders programme involving 30 entrepreneurs.
About 1,000 tech talents are also trained in software development, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
The state’s graduate internship programme impacts more than 6,500 graduates, while a recent job fair attracts over 2,000 job seekers and 110 employers.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 