The Kosofe Local Government has disbursed N100 million to 1,000 residents as part of a targeted youth empowerment drive, officials said. Each beneficiary received N100,000 in cash as the council pursues measures to boost entrepreneurship, skills development and job creation in the community.
Kosofe empowerment programme set to unlock local entrepreneurship
The chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Moyosore Ogunlewe, represented by the council’s former secretary Fatai Gbadebo, described the Kosofe empowerment programme as a strategic investment in human capital. Launched in November, the scheme was implemented in four structured phases designed to reach a broad cross-section of residents.
Mr Ogunlewe said the initiative targets the root causes of unemployment and limited opportunity among young people. “Our youth face unprecedented challenges: unemployment, economic uncertainty and limited opportunities. Yet you also possess unprecedented potential: creativity, innovation, digital literacy and boundless energy,” he said, urging beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly to start or expand enterprises, acquire skills and hire others.
Council Manager Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka said the programme complements President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s grassroots development policies and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda. By aligning local action with state and federal priorities, the council aims to ensure the support delivers measurable economic benefits.
The four-phase rollout allowed administrators to target beneficiaries progressively and monitor outcomes. According to the council, the phased approach helped verify eligibility, provide basic entrepreneurship guidance and connect recipients with mentorship networks and training opportunities.
Officials emphasised that the cash transfer is intended as seed capital rather than unconditional handouts. Beneficiaries were encouraged to invest in small businesses, vocational courses or digital skills that can generate recurring income. The council also urged recipients to seek mentorship and build entrepreneurial networks to increase the chances of business survival and growth.
Local leaders framed the empowerment as an economic stimulus for the community. By equipping individuals with capital and linking them to skills and networks, the programme aims to catalyse micro and small enterprises, increase household incomes and create employment opportunities for neighbours and peers.
Observers said success will depend on follow-up measures such as access to training, market linkages and financial services. The Kosofe empowerment programme’s organisers have indicated plans to monitor progress and consider additional support where promising ventures emerge.
As local governments across Nigeria explore direct interventions to reduce youth unemployment, Kosofe’s initiative offers a practical example of combining cash support with capacity building. Officials hope the programme will deliver sustained benefits to beneficiaries and contribute to broader economic resilience within Lagos State.
Key Takeaways:
- The Kosofe empowerment programme distributed N100 million to 1,000 residents, giving N100,000 to each beneficiary.
- Programme ran in four phases and aims to stimulate entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and job creation.
- Local officials linked the initiative to federal and state grassroots development policies to promote inclusive growth.
