The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration will offer grants ranging from N500,000 to N10 million to business-minded youths under the Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Scheme (OGYES).
Governor Abiodun shared that these grants will be provided in the next phase of OGYES, which will soon be relaunched, offering unemployed youths and women opportunities to expand their businesses. He added that others would have access to interest-free digital loans.
This was disclosed during the Remo International Youth Day, themed ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,’ at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo.
Governor Abiodun also revealed plans to train more youths in Digital Training Enterprises and provide technical and vocational education to others across the state.
He said, “The Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Scheme we will launch in the next two weeks is aimed at our state’s youths. We’ll identify young entrepreneurs and support them with grants from N500,000 to N10 million to expand their businesses. Others will receive interest-free digital loans. This will all be unveiled in the coming weeks.
“We’ll also offer Digital Training Enterprises for those skilled in ICT, social media, and digital marketing, along with technical and vocational training in construction, welding, and more,” he added.
The Governor also announced the launch of the Ogun Youth Agricultural Programme, replicating the Soilless Farm Lab in Awowo, Ewekoro Local Government Area, starting in Remoland. This program will train 2,000 youths every three months, aiming to reach 8,000 annually.
He said, “We are introducing the Ogun Youth Agricultural Programme, leveraging the Soilless Farm Lab model from Awowo. This will train 2,000 youths every three months, turning them into agripreneurs. The state will provide land, support setup, and offtake produce from the greenhouses.”
The Governor also committed to ongoing state development, noting that he would participate in the upcoming rice harvest, planted three months ago.
Governor Abiodun emphasized the importance of youth involvement in agriculture to secure food security and agricultural success.
“Our community’s future health and prosperity rely on the active participation of young people like you. Robust food systems are critical for health, environment, and economy. As we face challenges like climate change and food shortages, innovative solutions for human and planetary health are vital,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, urged Remoland youths to work hard and avoid laziness. He also called on the state government to assist agriculturally inclined youths with tractors.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, noted that the summit was designed to positively impact Remoland youths. He commended the Remo Growth and Development Foundation for organizing the event, which facilitated dialogue and data gathering for policymaking.
Chairman of the Remo Youth Association, Comrade Bidemi Solarin, urged all levels of government to create opportunities for youths in agriculture and praised Governor Abiodun for establishing a ministry dedicated to youth development in the state.
