Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Monday officially flagged off the disbursement of N1.5 billion to beneficiaries of the YEAP-SAfER initiative, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustainable economic development through youth empowerment and agribusiness.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and the Mastercard Foundation, is designed to support young agripreneurs in the state. Under the scheme, 1,000 youths who previously underwent state-sponsored agribusiness training at CSS Integrated Farms, Gora, Nasarawa State, will receive N1.5 million each.
Speaking at the disbursement and stakeholders’ event, Governor Makinde described the intervention as more than just financial assistance, saying it represents a strategic effort to build a structured system for long-term economic growth and development.
He recalled that the programme began in 2021, when the first batch of trainees was sent to Nasarawa State for intensive agribusiness training. According to him, many of the participants started the journey with uncertainty, but are now returning with valuable knowledge, exposure and fresh opportunities to build sustainable businesses.
Makinde said his administration has consistently placed education, entrepreneurship and productivity at the centre of its development agenda. He noted that these priorities formed the basis of the Oyo State Roadmap for Accelerated Development (2019–2023), which has now evolved into the Roadmap for Sustainable Development (2023–2027) to ensure continuity and deeper impact.
The governor explained that the YEAP-SAfER initiative aligns with this broader vision by closing the gap between training and access to resources, thereby giving beneficiaries the support needed to expand productivity in agribusiness.
He, however, urged the beneficiaries to view the intervention as a serious responsibility rather than a mere handout, stressing that the collateral-free loans must be used wisely to guarantee accountability, growth and long-term productivity.
“You have been given access to training, exposure, and now financial backing. What you do with this opportunity will not only determine your future but also shape agribusiness in Oyo State,” the governor said.
Makinde also acknowledged the support of the programme’s development partners, particularly FCMB and the Mastercard Foundation, for strengthening the initiative through their contributions. He disclosed that while the state government committed N500 million as seed capital, the partners provided an additional N1 billion.
He called on more organisations and institutions to key into the YEAP-SAfER platform in order to drive large-scale impact, noting that the programme has been deliberately structured to deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, the governor said Oyo State has moved from a position of limited economic growth to becoming one of the top-performing states on several key economic indicators. He added that the state is increasingly gaining recognition as an attractive destination for investment.
Makinde stressed that the progress being recorded must be sustained beyond his tenure, insisting that governance should be about building enduring systems rather than glorifying individuals.
To this end, he revealed that he has directed commissioners and heads of agencies to properly document their activities and programmes to ensure continuity for the next administration, especially in addressing the persistent challenge of policy discontinuity in governance.
The governor charged beneficiaries and stakeholders to remain committed to the vision of sustainable development, assuring residents that his administration would continue to prioritise policies and initiatives capable of delivering lasting prosperity for the people of Oyo State.
