The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), has trained 1,700 beneficiaries in digital marketing to support business growth and livelihoods.
The Commissioner for WAPA, Mrs Cecilia-Dada Bolaji, said this at the graduation ceremony for market women, men, SMEs and young adults on digital marketing training, held on Wednesday in Agege.
Bolaji said the training, themed “From Local Business to Global Market: Leveraging Digital Marketing for Business Growth,” was designed to equip the beneficiaries with practical digital skills.
“The business environment is changing rapidly, and the ability to use digital tools has become increasingly important for anyone who wants to remain visible, competitive and connected to customers,” she said.
She said WAPA had also distributed tablets and Android phones to beneficiaries to support the practical application of the knowledge acquired during the training.
“Digital knowledge becomes more useful when participants have the tools to apply what they have learned,” Bolaji said, adding that the devices could help beneficiaries promote products and communicate with customers.
Bolaji congratulated the graduates, urging them to keep learning, remain consistent and make productive use of the digital tools available to them.
Mrs Rianat Onigbanjo, Permanent Secretary of WAPA, said the three-day digital marketing training had equipped participants with knowledge to strengthen businesses and create new opportunities.
Onigbanjo appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting initiatives that equip residents with relevant skills for economic participation and business growth.
She also commended Mrs Cecilia-Dada Bolaji, Commissioner for WAPA, for her direction and support towards the successful implementation of the programme.
She appreciated Liquid Luck Consulting for facilitating the training and providing participants with practical digital marketing knowledge.
“I encourage you to apply the knowledge acquired, make productive use of the Android phones, and use digital platforms to promote your businesses and reach new customers,” Onigbanjo said.
The beneficiaries spoke with NAN about their businesses, how they planned to apply the acquired skills to improve them, and expressed appreciation to WAPA for the training.
Mr Uchenna Ogbonna, a student and entrepreneur, said WAPA’s digital marketing training had made it possible for him to showcase his solar, inverter and generator products and services digitally.
Ogbonna said he could also install and maintain them, adding that the training had taught him the power of WhatsApp Business and social media. He appreciated WAPA for the opportunity.
“I put it to the test yesterday, and that very day I had more than five people calling me. That’s the power of digital marketing — you reach many people,” he said.
Miss Aisha Falola, a caterer, said she used WhatsApp to promote her business, while friends shared her posts with others, helping her reach customers.
Falola said the digital marketing skills would help her promote her business on Instagram and TikTok, reach more customers and increase her income. She appreciated WAPA for the opportunity.
Another beneficiary, Miss Mariam Sanusi, a shoemaker and leatherworker, said she learnt shoemaking and leatherworks at WAPA’s Mushin branch and currently used the acquired skills.
Sanusi said the digital marketing training was impactful and comprehensive, adding that she had been using the skills to market her business on social media.
“I want to say a very big thank you to WAPA because WAPA came to me in a very down moment of my life. I’m glad I took the decision to take the training and also to be here today,” she said.
Previous beneficiaries, who graduated in January, also spoke with reporters about their experiences and how they had applied the acquired skills.
Miss Olajumoke Sorunke said WAPA’s training taught her how to manage her phone and business, adding that the programme had greatly benefited her.
Sorunke said she used WhatsApp to promote her chair and burner rental business, appreciating WAPA for providing her with a phone and urging the ministry to sustain the programme.
Mrs Mariam Awofiranye, a previous beneficiary, said the digital marketing training had helped her promote her farming, events planning, decoration and AI training businesses.
Awofiranye appreciated WAPA and its staff for the training, saying it had helped her market her products globally and encouraged the ministry to sustain the programme.
“It has helped my business in a very big way. People are now calling me to supply them, instead of me looking for buyers,” Awofiranye said.
