Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has reinforced his commitment to transforming Oyo State into a premier investment hub, kickstarting a N1.5 billion disbursement to 1,000 young agri-entrepreneurs.
At a the event held on Monday at the Oyo State Agribusiness Transformation Centre in Fasola, Governor Makinde officially commenced the YEAP-SAfER initiative. Under this scheme, 1,000 youths who underwent intensive state-sponsored training at CSS Integrated Farms in Nasarawa State will each receive N1.5 million to scale their enterprises.
The programme is a strategic partnership between the Oyo State Government, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and the Mastercard Foundation.
A New Cushion for Workers
Beyond the fields of agribusiness, Governor Makinde also considered the immediate economic pressures facing the state’s workers. He announced the approval of a N10,000 monthly transport support for all civil and public servants at both state and local government levels.
The Governor noted that this intervention aims to “cushion the effect of the rising cost of transportation and financial burden on workers so as to maintain their productivity.”
Strategy Over Chance
Speaking after presenting symbolic cheques to the beneficiaries under the theme “Agri-Entrepreneurial Support Partnership,” the Governor reflected on the journey that began in 2021.
“Back in 2021 when the first batch of YEAP trainees were sent to CSS Global Integrated in Nasarawa, some of you here today started that journey with uncertainty. But today, you stand with opportunity in your hands,” Makinde said.
He emphasised that the state’s progress is the result of a deliberate “Roadmap for Sustainable Development,” rather than luck.
“I always say that I am not the only one doing all the things we are witnessing in Oyo State; it’s the team… We are demonstrating that sustainable development is not built on isolated interventions, but on deliberate, structured, and consistent actions over time.”
The Governor identified three pillars essential for economic prosperity:
- Education and Knowledge: Gained through modern agribusiness training.
- Entrepreneurship: Transitioning from trainees to employers.
- Productivity: Moving away from a reliance on federal allocations.
“It’s not about sharing federal allocations in Abuja,” the Governor remarked, stressing the need for internal wealth creation.
Scaling the System
The Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr Debo Akande, explained that the funds are interest-free loans designed to bridge the gap between training and true commercial growth.
According to Akande, the goal is for these entrepreneurs to build a three-year track record, eventually qualifying for loans up to N50 million through the Bank of Industry.
Governor Makinde urged the beneficiaries to maintain high levels of discipline, reminding them that the facility requires no collateral. “Training without access to resources limits potential, and resources without structure leads to wastages,” he cautioned.
As the state eyes the completion of the 110km Circular Road and further infrastructure milestones, Makinde noted that Oyo has successfully positioned itself among the top-performing states in Nigeria across key economic indices.
