Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has challenged young Nigerians to stop waiting for opportunities and take the initiative to create value, overcome setbacks and build solutions that improve lives.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Wednesday at the fourth edition of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Generation Next Forum, held at the Queens Park Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The forum, with the theme, “Building Tomorrow Today: Youth as Catalysts of a Digital, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy,” brought together young Nigerians and key stakeholders in the banking, business and technology sectors.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi, said the rapid growth of technology, fintech, artificial intelligence and digital enterprise had placed young people at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He, however, urged the youths to combine technological advancement with integrity, creativity, discipline and a commitment to solving real-world problems.
“Do not wait for someone to hand you the future. Start building it,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He urged young people to take initiative, learn from setbacks and measure success not only by personal achievements but also by the value they create and the lives they improve.
According to him, the future of Nigeria depends largely on the ability of its young population to transform ideas into sustainable enterprises, innovations and solutions to societal challenges.
Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos State Government was committed to creating an enabling environment for young people to thrive through investments in technology, entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and human capital development under its THEMES+ Development Agenda.
He disclosed that the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) had, over the past decade, disbursed more than N15 billion in affordable loans to over 20,000 micro, small and medium enterprises, supporting the creation of more than 320,000 jobs.
The Governor also said Lagos Innovates had provided more than 750 workspace vouchers, supported over 240 startups and trained about 1,000 young people in software development, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
He added that the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council had recently awarded N75 million in research, innovation and STEM education grants.
Sanwo-Olu called on banks, businesses and other private-sector players to view young people as partners in economic development rather than merely as job seekers.
He urged them to create room for experimentation, mentorship and innovation, stressing that young people needed opportunities to test their ideas and develop the skills required to compete in a rapidly changing economy.
The Governor also warned that digital transformation must not deepen existing inequalities, saying young people in communities such as Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu should have access to the same digital opportunities available to their counterparts in Ikeja and Victoria Island.
He commended the CIBN for sustaining the Generation Next Forum, describing it as an important platform for engaging young Nigerians and preparing them for leadership in the financial and wider economic sectors.
Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that with the right opportunities, mentorship and institutional support, young Nigerians could play a decisive role in building a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Nigeria.
The event was attended by the President and Chairman of Council of the CIBN, Dr Dele Alabi, PhD, FCIB; Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs Christiana Sarah; Managing Director of Lotus Bank, Dr Isiaka Ajani-Lawal; past presidents of the CIBN and young Nigerians, among other stakeholders.
