The Lagos State Government has officially launched the Lagos Creative Arts Vault, an initiative aimed at equipping the city’s youth with skills to excel in various creative industries.
The pilot phase of the project kicked off with 50 participants, marking the beginning of an ambitious plan to train 3,000 youths over the next 18 months.
This initiative, driven by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, is designed to provide young people with hands-on training and vocational skills that align with Lagos’ vibrant cultural and creative scene.
Speaking at the launch event, which took place at the Lekki Creative Arts and Crafts Market, Idris highlighted the significance of the project, emphasizing its potential to tackle youth restiveness and empower them to become future leaders in the creative sector.
“Today is about passion. Today is about unity. Today is about love. Today is about training. Today is about advancing the essence of life,” Aregbe said, underscoring the importance of the initiative in fostering personal growth and community development.
He also mentioned the state government’s commitment to empowering the youth and addressing challenges related to street urchin activities by offering them a more productive path forward.
He further stated, “When we talk about tourism, when we talk about arts, when we talk about culture, if we are not advancing the essence of the next generation, I don’t think we are being serious in this business. And that is the reason we have designed this initiative, to see how we continue to go down to the grassroots, to the community, in a bid to continue to add value to our people.”
The program’s goal is not only to teach skills but to build a self-sustaining ecosystem where participants will eventually become employers of labour, tapping into the expertise of both local and international trainers.
In his remarks, Aregbe encouraged the participants to make the most of the opportunity, noting, “Let’s continue to learn from each other, let’s continue to teach ourselves and be the best in whatever we do, most importantly in this top six that we identify.”
The initiative’s first cohort of 50 participants embarked on what Aregbe called “practical pilots” to see firsthand the skills they would be learning, ensuring they realize the potential of the craft.
He noted, “We want them to come and see. Because at times, when you don’t see it, you think it’s not doable. So they’ve gone around the market, they’ve seen what people have been able to do in this market. And what we’re seeing is that we can do it and we can do it better.”
To support this vision, the Lagos Creative Arts Vault has enlisted top industry professionals, including Lagos Creative Arts Vault Consultant, Debo Oyewole, and an international trainer from South Africa, Yulisa Maddy.
Maddy, who is eager to contribute to his Nigerian heritage, spoke passionately about the impact of this program, stating, “It’s a blessing and I’m just proud to be here. My mum is a Nigerian. I really wanted to come and talk about training and nutrition and the importance of keeping good health.”
Maddy, who is committed to ensuring the youth understand the importance of both professional and physical well-being, elaborated on the broader scope of the training, “So the youth and everyone can be aware of how to take care of their body, how you deal with nutrition, what to eat, what’s important so we don’t get sick later – we feel healthy and vibrant and that’s what it’s all about. So if I can give back to my homeland, I would be more than happy to do that.”
The day also featured a celebratory moment as Aregbe marked his birthday with a generous gesture.
To support local businesses, he distributed N2 million to 10 traders at the Lekki Creative Arts and Crafts Market, offering a boost to their operations and further demonstrating the administration’s commitment to grassroots economic empowerment.
