Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has announced a new initiative aimed at empowering business-oriented youths in the state with grants ranging from N500,000 to N10 million. The grants will be provided under the Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Programme (OGYES), which is set to be relaunched soon.
Governor Abiodun disclosed this during the Remo International Youth Day event, themed ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,’ held at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo, on Tuesday.
The governor stated that the grants would provide unemployed youths and women with the financial support needed to grow their businesses. In addition to the grants, other youths will have access to interest-free digital loans, further enhancing their entrepreneurial opportunities.
“The Ogun Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Scheme that we will be launching in the next two weeks aims to support our Ogun State youths. We will identify young entrepreneurs—those with a flair for starting or expanding their own businesses—and provide them with grants ranging from N500,000 to N10 million to help them scale their operations and improve cash flow. Others will benefit from interest-free digital loans,” Governor Abiodun said.
He also announced plans to expand training opportunities for youths in digital skills and technical vocations. “We will be training youths in Digital Training Enterprises—those interested in ICT, digital marketing, and social media influencing. Additionally, we will offer technical and vocational training to equip our youths with skills in construction, painting, welding, and other trades, particularly as Ogun State is currently a hub of construction activities.”
Governor Abiodun further revealed that his administration is set to introduce the Ogun Youth Agricultural Programme, which will replicate the Soilless Farm Lab model currently operational in Awowo, Ewekoro Local Government Area. The program will commence in Remoland, training 2,000 youths every three months, with a goal of training 8,000 youths annually in soilless farming technology.
He also highlighted the state’s progress in rice production, noting that the rice planted three months ago is ready for harvest, with plans to cultivate rice four times a year. “This achievement demonstrates our commitment to developing a robust food system that supports both human and planetary health,” Abiodun added.
During the event, the Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, urged the youth of Remoland to work hard and avoid laziness. He also called on the state government to provide agricultural machinery, such as tractors, to assist youths interested in farming.
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, praised the summit for its impact on the lives of youths in Remoland and acknowledged the efforts of the Remo Growth and Development Foundation in fostering dialogue and data collection for policymaking.
The Chairman of the Remo Youth Association, Bidemi Solarin, echoed the call for more opportunities in the agricultural sector and commended Governor Abiodun for establishing a ministry focused on youth development in the state.
