In a bold move to deepen social inclusion and bridge the welfare gap for underserved youth populations, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, has spearheaded a powerful engagement initiative targeting informal youths on the streets and under bridges across the state.
The event, which unfolded in two impactful phases under the banner of the Change From Street Life Initiative, saw Hon. Ogunlende leading direct interactions with youths living on the streets – first at Sandfill Underbridge in Lekki, and later at Eko Atlantic.
In both locations, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), delivered a life-changing package of free health insurance coverage to the youths. This critical step, made possible through the support of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is part of a larger mission to foster rehabilitation, reintegration, and renewed hope.
“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.”
The initiative does more than offer temporary relief. It is strategically designed to create meaningful conversations, emotional and psychological support, and most importantly, pathways off the streets – including training in legal handworks, crafts, and vocational skills that empower the youths to live independently and contribute meaningfully to Lagos’ thriving informal economy.
At both Set Up locations, participants were given the opportunity to express their needs, hopes, and fears, while social workers, health officers, and development partners were on ground to provide counselling, health registration, and linkages to family-tracing programs.
“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 “Change From Street Life Initiative” is part of a growing series of interventions under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s inclusive governance drive, aimed at transforming lives, ensuring no one is left behind, and rebuilding trust between the government and its most vulnerable citizens.
As the state continues to roll out further support and structured pathways for informal youths, Hon. Ogunlende called on civil society groups, private sector players, and community leaders to join the mission of change.
“If we truly want a safer, more prosperous Lagos, we must carry everyone along – especially those who’ve been left behind for too long.”
With health insurance now in hand, and doors opening to training and mentorship, a new chapter begins for many of Lagos’ informal youths – one marked not by survival, but by growth, resilience and renewed purpose.
