In a fresh push to reach out to vulnerable young people living on the margins, the Centre of Excellence (Lagos) Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, has taken his message of inclusion and support directly to the streets.
As part of the “Change From Street Life Initiative,” the commissioner met with groups of informal youths residing under bridges and in open spaces—first at the Sandfill Underbridge in Lekki, and later at Eko Atlantic. These locations, often overlooked, became grounds for meaningful dialogue and critical support services.
A key part of the outreach was the distribution of free health insurance cards through the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), backed by the support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The move is aimed at expanding access to health care for young people who have long been excluded from basic public services.
“We are not just meeting them where they are – we are helping them move forward,” Hon. Ogunlende stated. “By providing access to health insurance through LASHMA, offering mentorship, and opening doors to vocational training, we are sending a strong message: you are seen, you are valued, and your future matters.”
Beyond medical coverage, the initiative connects street youths to vocational training in crafts, trades, and other handwork. This is part of a broader goal to equip them with skills that promote independence and help them earn a living within the informal economy of the state.
At both locations, the commissioner and his team listened as the young participants shared personal stories, some laced with hardship, others with hope. Social workers, healthcare professionals, and partners were present to register them for support services, provide counseling, and begin family tracing where possible.
“This administration’s commitment to citizen development is total,” Hon. Ogunlende affirmed. “Our goal is to reduce the number of informal youths on Lagos streets by creating sustainable opportunities for growth, dignity, and reintegration.”
The program aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s wider policy on inclusive governance, which seeks to rebuild trust and deliver social services to groups often left behind in the state’s development efforts.
Hon. Ogunlende also called on the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders to join hands with the government in driving these interventions forward.
“If we truly want a safer, more prosperous Lagos, we must carry everyone along – especially those who’ve been left behind for too long.” we want a better Lagos for everyone, we must begin by bringing the most neglected members of our society into the fold,” he said.
With renewed access to healthcare and a path toward skill acquisition, many of the youths who took part in the exercise are now looking to the future with hope, and for the first time, with a sense of belonging.
