INFLUENCE OF POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT IN FOSTERING SKILLS ACQUISITION IN OJOKORO LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of political empowerment on fostering skills acquisition within Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, Nigeria. Political leadership at the grassroots has increasingly become a critical driver of human capital development, particularly in communities where unemployment, poverty, and limited access to vocational opportunities persist. The recent intervention by the Executive Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. (Barr.) Mrs. Rosiji Oluyemisi Adenike—who empowered 144 learners and 11 facilitators with ₦100,000 each as part of her first 100 days in office—provides a compelling case study for evaluating how political will can stimulate capacity building and sustainable economic growth. This paper argues that political empowerment initiatives, when transparent, inclusive, and strategically aligned with community needs, serve as catalysts for skills acquisition, youth productivity, and local economic resilience. The empowerment programme in Ojokoro LCDA demonstrates how targeted financial support strengthens participation in vocational training, enhances motivation among facilitators, and promotes self-reliance among beneficiaries. Furthermore, it highlights the pivotal role of political office holders in redefining governance from mere administration to developmental leadership. The paper concludes that structured political empowerment remains indispensable for scaling skills acquisition programmes, reducing social vulnerabilities, and promoting sustainable community development. It recommends that similar interventions be institutionalised across local governments to ensure continuity, accountability, and long-term impact.