…As College matriculates 183 students
The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Lagos State Cooperative College (LASCOCO), Mr. Oyebowale Raji, has urged new students of the College to fully embrace the numerous learning opportunities available in the school and to envision themselves as future leaders of the cooperative movement and catalysts for community development.
Speaking at the 2025/2026 Matriculation Ceremony of the College, Mr. Oyebowale Raji said they are strengthening academic and professional programmes relevant to cooperative development and enterprise management; expanding entrepreneurship and innovation training for young people; cultivating international partnerships and collaborations with reputable cooperative and educational institutions; deepening research and policy engagement in cooperative and MSME development; and positioning the College as a hub for cooperative leadership, training, and enterprise incubation.
He said: “You are joining an institution that occupies a strategic position within Lagos State’s developmental framework. The cooperative movement remains one of the most potent instruments for financial inclusion, community development, and grassroots economic empowerment. This College was established to provide the intellectual and professional foundation necessary to sustain and strengthen that movement.
“As the Governing Council, we take immense pride in the progress the College has made since its inception. With the commencement of our second term in office, the Council has articulated a revitalized vision aimed at transforming LASCOCO into a premier centre of excellence for cooperative education, entrepreneurship development, and community capacity building, not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
“These initiatives are carefully designed to ensure that LASCOCO continues to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient but also entrepreneurial, innovative, and capable of generating sustainable economic value within their communities.
“To our esteemed matriculating students, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on securing admission into this institution. Your admission into LASCOCO presents you with a remarkable opportunity; however, your success will ultimately depend on your discipline, commitment to learning, and adherence to the values of integrity, cooperation, and service to society.
“To the parents and guardians present today, we express our sincere gratitude for the trust you have placed in this institution. We assure you that the College continue to provide an enabling environment that promotes both academic excellence and sound character development.”
On his part, the Provost of the College, Dr. Walid Gbadebo Adebosin said cooperative education remains one of the most powerful instruments for inclusive economic development, community empowerment, and sustainable wealth creation.
He said across the world, cooperative institutions have demonstrated their capacity to promote financial inclusion, support small businesses, create employment, and strengthen local economies.
“It is therefore not surprising that governments across many advanced and developing economies continue to promote cooperatives as a key pillar for grassroots economic development and social stability.
“Lagos State has remained a leading example in Nigeria in promoting cooperative development as a strategic tool for economic empowerment and financial sustainability.
“The establishment of Lagos State Cooperative College represents the Government’s visionary investment in human capital development, ensuring that cooperative leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals receive structured education, technical skills, and modern business knowledge required to thrive in today’s dynamic economy.
“Our College therefore occupies a strategic position within the cooperative ecosystem of Lagos State, serving as a centre for training, research, innovation, and capacity building.
“The programmes of this College are deliberately designed to support the development priorities of the Lagos State Government, particularly the THEMES Plus Agenda, which focuses on Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance.
“Through cooperative education, entrepreneurship development, and vocational training, Lagos State Cooperative College is contributing directly to the human capital development pillar of the State’s strategic agenda.
“Our goal is to produce graduates who will not only seek employment but who will also become creators of opportunities, drivers of innovation, and contributors to economic productivity.
“The National Diploma programmes provide strong academic and professional foundations in cooperative management, enterprise development, and related fields. The Professional Diploma programmes are designed to strengthen the capacity of professionals already working within cooperative institutions and related sectors.
“Our Skill Acquisition programmes, on the other hand, are focused on equipping individuals with practical technical skills that enable them to become self-reliant and economically productive. Together, these programmes represent a holistic approach to education that integrates knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurship.”
According to him, one of the greatest challenges facing many developing economies today is the gap between formal education and practical skills required in the labour market.
He noted that Lagos State Cooperative College is responding to this challenge by strengthening its technical and vocational training programmes.
“I am pleased to report that our flagship Technical Skill-Up Programme, launched in 2025, is already making significant strides in this regard. The programme is designed to empower participants with practical competencies in key areas such as Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Welding and Fabrication, and Plumbing & Pipefitting, leading to self-employment, small business development, and sustainable livelihoods.
“The first cohort of trainees have successfully completed the intensive training phase and is now preparing to embark on a three-month Industrial Attachment to gain real-world experience. Following this, they will sit for the internationally recognized City & Guilds certification examination, validating their skills to a global standard.
“Furthermore, the second batch of trainees commenced their own journey in January 2026 and have shown tremendous promise, recently benefiting from an exposure visit to the facilities of our technical partner, the Henry Karll Technical Training Centre, Badagry.
“This initiative is a clear demonstration of our determination to ensure that the College becomes not just an academic institution, but a centre of excellence for technical skills development and cooperative entrepreneurship, directly contributing to workforce development in Lagos State
“Dear matriculating students, today you are beginning a journey that will shape your future in profound ways. The education you receive here will equip you with knowledge, skills, and values that will define your role in society. However, the success of this journey will depend largely on your attitude, discipline, and commitment to excellence.
“You must remember that education is not only about acquiring certificates. It is about developing the capacity to think critically, solve problems, innovate, and contribute positively to society.”
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