Lagos bets on youth innovation as Aregbe launches renewed hope skills hub

As Nigeria grapples with high youth unemployment and the growing demand for digital skills in an increasingly technology-driven economy, the Lagos State Government has unveiled the Renewed Hope Creative and Innovative Hub, a new initiative aimed at equipping young people with the skills, mentorship and entrepreneurial support needed to build sustainable businesses and compete in the future workforce.

The initiative, championed by Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, is designed to empower young Nigerians through digital innovation, skills acquisition, business incubation and leadership development, positioning them to create jobs rather than seek them.

Announcing the launch of the hub on Tuesday, Aregbe described the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while complementing the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ development agenda, which prioritises economic growth, innovation and youth empowerment.

According to him, the platform is intended to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by providing young people with access to practical training, mentorship, entrepreneurship support and collaborative opportunities across the creative and technology sectors.

“The Renewed Hope Creative and Innovative Hub is built for the young and the vibrant dreamers and the doers. Through skills acquisition, mentorship, entrepreneurship and digital innovation, we will nurture the next generation of leaders, creators and changemakers,” Aregbe said.

He noted that participants would receive hands-on training in digital and creative skills, leadership development and business management, while benefiting from networking opportunities and partnerships that can help transform innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises.

Aregbe said the initiative is expected to promote self-reliance, reduce youth unemployment and stimulate enterprise development by creating pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for young Nigerians.

“Our goal is to equip young people to become self-reliant, build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity must be deliberately created,” he said.

He described the hub as more than a physical facility, saying it represents a long-term commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs, innovators and creative professionals capable of driving economic transformation.

Aregbe also commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining policies that expand opportunities for young people, describing the governor’s commitment to youth development as instrumental to Lagos’ growth as Nigeria’s commercial and innovation hub.

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He similarly praised Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat for supporting youth-focused initiatives and promoting inclusive governance.

The launch comes as governments and private sector stakeholders intensify efforts to address Nigeria’s youth employment challenge by investing in digital skills, innovation and entrepreneurship. With Lagos accounting for the country’s largest startup ecosystem and creative economy, the new hub is expected to strengthen the state’s position as a leading destination for innovation while helping more young Nigerians convert talent into thriving businesses and sustainable livelihoods.