The Lagos State Government has launched the StartRight Entrepreneurship Development Support Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the knowledge, skills and tools to build sustainable and scalable businesses.
EpeInsights learnt that the programme, launched through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, was unveiled on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the STO Resource Centre, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, described the initiative as a major stride in advancing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s vision of a #GreaterLagos powered by enterprise, innovation, and inclusive prosperity.
“The StartRight Lagos Programme is not just about starting businesses it’s about starting right, sustaining right, and scaling right,” Ajigbotafe said.
“Our focus is to build entrepreneurs who are not only innovative but also resilient and strategically positioned to thrive in today’s competitive business environment.”
He explained that the initiative was conceived to help entrepreneurs establish solid foundations, adopt sustainable practices, and scale their ventures effectively.
According to him, the programme aligns with the State Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, wealth creation, and sustainable economic growth.
Ajigbotafe also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting initiatives that foster business incubation, access to finance, skill acquisition and entrepreneurial development, noting that Lagos remains the heartbeat of Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Esv. Wasiu Adebayo Olayinka, described the StartRight Lagos Programme as a milestone in the State’s continuous efforts to nurture a productive, innovative and self-reliant population.
“The aim is to equip Lagos entrepreneurs with the right mindset and capacity to transition from job seekers to job creators,” Olayinka stated.
“Through mentorship, practical learning, and exposure to growth strategies, the StartRight initiative will build a new generation of sustainable businesses that will drive our economy forward.”
He commended facilitators and development partners for their dedication to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustained collaboration with both the public and private sectors.
A Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of W-Holistic Business Solutions, Mrs. Lanre Oniyitan, provided an overview of the programme’s structure and objectives. She noted that StartRight Lagos was carefully designed to provide MSMEs with the right framework for business planning, financial management, innovation and market access ensuring that entrepreneurs can build enterprises that endure.
The StartRight Entrepreneurship Development Support Programme stands as one of the flagship projects of the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, reflecting the government’s unwavering focus on economic inclusion, innovation, and wealth creation.
With the launch, Lagos reaffirms its position as a hub of enterprise and opportunity, ensuring that entrepreneurs are not only starting businesses — but starting right.
