Ajigbotafe, Aina Charge Lagos Ministry Staff on Discipline, Teamwork

Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, alongside Permanent Secretary Mrs. Lolade Aina, has tasked staff of the ministry with embracing discipline, punctuality, and robust teamwork to drive enhanced service delivery amid pressing economic challenges.

The directive came during the ministry’s inaugural First Work Day Thanksgiving Session on Friday at its Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja. This gathering marked a renewed commitment to operational excellence as the ministry gears up for intensified efforts in 2026.

Commissioner’s Firm Call for Accountability
Hon. Ajigbotafe, a key figure in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, issued a stern caution against lateness and idleness, underscoring that public service demands unwavering discipline, commitment, and responsibility. He praised the staff’s existing dedication while highlighting the ministry’s pivotal role in fostering wealth creation and job opportunities across Lagos, Africa’s economic powerhouse with over 20 million residents.

“Wealth creation and employment are not mere policy slogans; they are lifelines for the dignity, stability, and prosperity of Lagosians,” Ajigbotafe stated. He emphasized that every program must prioritize livelihood improvements, job expansion, and inclusive growth, aligning with the state’s THEMES+ agenda—focused on Traffic management, Health, Education, Making Lagos a 21st-century economy, Entertainment, and Security, now extended with priority areas like power and agriculture.

The commissioner stressed integrity and accountability as non-negotiable, urging all to uphold professionalism and ethical standards. “No single department can deliver our mandate alone. Open communication and mutual support will propel us as we reinforce ongoing initiatives and launch new ones tailored to 2026’s economic realities, including inflation pressures and youth unemployment rates hovering around 40% in Nigeria,” he added.

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Permanent Secretary Pledges Supportive Environment
Echoing these sentiments, Mrs. Lolade Aina commended the team’s hard work and called for sustained unity and excellence. “Teamwork is our superpower in achieving organizational goals,” she declared, assuring staff of a conducive workplace for professional growth and recognition of top performers.

Aina, an experienced administrator in Lagos civil service, reiterated commitments to efficiency, accountability, and service excellence. Recent ministry highlights under her oversight include partnerships with private firms for skills training programs, which have empowered thousands of youths since the ministry’s rebranding from the earlier Directorate of Employment in 2023.

Context of Lagos Economic Push
This session aligns with broader state strategies amid Nigeria’s economic headwinds, including naira volatility and global inflation. The Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, established to tackle unemployment—a chronic issue with national rates at 5.3% officially but higher unofficially—oversees initiatives like the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), which has disbursed over ₦20 billion in low-interest loans to entrepreneurs since 2017.

Online searches reveal Hon. Ajigbotafe’s recent engagements, including a December 2025 town hall on digital skills for 5,000 youths, signaling the ministry’s pivot toward tech-driven job creation. Mrs. Aina has similarly championed women empowerment workshops. These efforts come as Lagos aims for 500,000 new jobs annually, per state budget projections.

Staff response at the event was positive, with representatives voicing resolve to align with leadership’s vision. As 2026 unfolds, the ministry’s focus on collaborative discipline positions it as a frontline player in Lagos’ quest for sustainable prosperity.