Youth unemployment in Lagos, Nigeria is a significant social and economic challenge, with poverty rates often disproportionately affecting young people. The research employed an ethnographic approach, involving participant observation and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders including programme beneficiaries, organizers, and community leaders to gather comprehensive data on the efficacy and challenges faced by these initiatives. A key finding was that while some programmes showed modest improvements in employment rates among their participants, there were notable variations in success across different sectors and socio-economic backgrounds, suggesting a need for tailored interventions. Despite initial signs of progress, the findings highlight the complexity of addressing youth unemployment through targeted employment programmes and underscore the importance of sustained support and community engagement to maximise impact. Future policy should prioritise robust evaluation frameworks, inclusive planning processes, and collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities to enhance programme effectiveness and sustainability. Youth Employment Programmes, Poverty Alleviation, Lagos, Nigeria, Ethnographic Study