The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Tejumola Abisoye, stated that her agency has continued to enjoy the full backing of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whom he describing as the agency’s biggest cheerleader. She said this recently, when the governor and several members of his executive council visited two Lagos Innovates Partner hubs. The hubs visited are the Venia Business Hub in Lekki and the Impact Hub Lagos in Ikoyi.
Mrs. Abisoye said the LSETF provides support to over 38 partner hubs across the state, adding that the goal is to support startups from idea to exit stages. “Through Startups (Lagos Innovates), which is an initiative of LSETF, we are supporting the technology ecosystem in Lagos State,” she said. “We help the very best founders and startups through our various programs like the Lagos Innovates Idea Hub: a 12-week incubation program to support very early-stage tech-enabled ventures with relevant skills, networking opportunities, and mentorship from seasoned industry experts to achieve a minimum viable product. Over 20 startups have been supported so far.
LSETF has Workspace Vouchers that supports the highest potential founders and/or startups in Lagos State at the very early stages of their ventures (ideation to very early revenue) by facilitating access to well-equipped co-working spaces. Through this initiative, over 150 vouchers have been issued to date. Then, there is the Talent Development program which supports capacity development by facilitating access to tech-focused entrepreneurship content and programming. 59 young tech-experts have been trained so far. “I want to say clearly that none of these achievements would have seen the light of day if we didn’t have the full confidence and backing of the governor, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,”, Mrs. Abisoye said.
The Governor described technology as “the new oil” that could exponentially generate wealth and jobs for Lagos residents. He said, “Technology is the new oil and the basic element for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, globally. As a state with a massive population of young people, we need to play a major role in the development of technology, which is an enabler to leapfrog into rapid socio-economic growth. We take technology as an important deliverable in our government’s development agenda.
, Tejumola Abisoye, stated that her agency has continued){kind=link}