Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth development, announcing the disbursement of N29 million in subventions to youth, student and community-based organisations across the state.
The governor made this known on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti during the official release of funds aimed at strengthening youth-focused initiatives and grassroots engagement.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adesola, Oyebanji said the intervention forms part of a broader strategy to empower young people through structured programmes that promote leadership, entrepreneurship and civic participation.
The disbursement, facilitated through the Ministry of Youth Development, covers registered organisations across all 16 local government areas.
It comes at a time when stakeholders are intensifying calls for increased investment in youth-oriented policies to address unemployment, social vulnerability and economic exclusion.
According to the governor, the initiative is designed to create opportunities for young people to actively contribute to the state’s development while reducing the risks associated with idleness.
“By providing financial support and enabling a conducive environment for growth, the administration has continued to ensure that young people are meaningfully engaged and not left idle, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and unlocking their full potential,” he stated.
Oyebanji emphasised that the programme would enhance socio-economic growth by encouraging innovation, productivity and responsible citizenship among youths.
He noted that supporting structured youth and student organisations is critical to building a generation capable of driving sustainable development.
“This initiative plays a vital role in advancing the socio-economic growth of the state by promoting youth engagement, entrepreneurship, leadership development and civic participation,” he said.
The governor described young people as central to his administration’s governance agenda, stressing that the subvention reflects a deliberate, youth-focused approach to governance and service delivery.
He further explained that the funds are intended to strengthen institutional capacity within youth organisations, enabling them to execute impactful programmes and expand their reach at the community level.
Oyebanji also underscored the need for accountability and transparency in the utilisation of the funds, warning beneficiaries to ensure that the resources are applied strictly to their intended purposes.
“The subvention is specifically meant to support the effective running of their respective organisations and to drive impactful initiatives,” he added.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to sustain policies and programmes that prioritise youth development as a key driver of long-term economic growth and social stability in the state.
