Czech Republic, Lagos Government Deepen Partnership on Youth Skills, Technology, Healthcare
By:Sesan Rufus Awobiye
Lagos, Nigeria – The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Tomáš Vyprachtický, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Lagos State, with a focus on healthcare, technology, and youth empowerment through vocational and digital skills development.
The ambassador made this known during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Government, where he was received by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, alongside the Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Nigeria, Dr. Josephine Awosika.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Vyprachtický disclosed that the Czech Republic’s ongoing collaboration with Nigeria is primarily centred on the medical equipment and healthcare technology sector. He also emphasized his country’s readiness to support initiatives that leverage technology to improve vocational education and skills acquisition among Nigerian youths.
“We strongly believe in technology-driven skills development. It is one of the major areas we are focusing on because it is essential for preparing young people for the future economy,” the ambassador said.
Also speaking, the Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Nigeria, Dr. Josephine Awosika, said the partnership aligns with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and job creation.
According to her, the collaboration will introduce technology-enabled vocational training programmes that will allow young people to acquire practical skills through online learning platforms while also gaining relevant digital competencies.
“The Lagos State Government has demonstrated genuine interest in empowering youths with the right skills for self-reliance and employment. Our partnership aims to complement these efforts by providing online vocational training supported by technology,” she explained.
Dr. Awosika revealed that discussions are ongoing to collaborate with the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State University to implement training programmes across various vocational fields, including carpentry and other technical professions.
She added that beyond vocational education, participants would receive Information Technology (IT) skills to position them for opportunities in an increasingly digital and innovation-driven global economy.
“The world today is driven by innovation and technology. The Czech Republic has developed strong structures in these areas, and we are committed to sharing our expertise through meaningful partnerships that will benefit Nigerian youths,” she said.
In her remarks, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the meeting as part of the state’s broader strategy to build international partnerships that will stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents.
She noted that the discussions covered youth development, vocational education, commerce, healthcare, and technology, all of which are critical pillars of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s *THEMES+ Agenda*
“The purpose of this collaboration is to move Lagos State forward. Under the THEMES+ Agenda, the ‘+’ represents youth inclusivity and gender equality. This administration remains committed to ensuring that our young people are equipped with the skills and opportunities needed to compete globally,” she said.
Barr. Salu-Hundeyin explained that the Lagos State Government has continued to engage with international partners and diplomatic missions to attract investments, foster business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-government (G2G) collaborations, and strengthen key sectors of the state’s economy.
She referenced previous engagements with the Lebanese Consulate General and regional local government leaders, noting that such meetings are designed to promote commerce, technology, grassroots development, and sustainable economic growth.
“We believe development must begin from the grassroots because that is where the impact of good governance is most deeply felt. Lagos has made significant progress, but we recognise that there is still more to achieve. Through partnerships like this, we will continue to deliver better living standards and greater opportunities for our people,” she stated.
The courtesy visit further reinforced the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the Czech Republic, while opening new avenues for collaboration in healthcare innovation, digital transformation, vocational education, and youth empowerment—areas considered critical to Lagos State’s vision of building a globally competitive economy.
About Author
