A Statement by Barr. Akeem Agbaje
APC Chieftain and 2027 Oyo State Gubernatorial Aspirant
As a father, lawyer, and dedicated APC leader, I have heard the deep frustrations of Oyo State’s youth, from the streets of Ibadan to the communities of Oke-Ogun to Oyo, Ibarapa and Ogbomoso. Youth unemployment is not just a statistic; it is a human emergency that wastes talent, fuels insecurity, drives migration, and endangers our state’s future. Our young people represent our greatest asset, and we must act decisively.
The Current Situation
Nigeria has one of the world’s youngest populations, and Oyo State, with its many tertiary institutions, produces thousands of graduates annually. Yet the economy struggles to absorb them into quality jobs.
While the National Bureau of Statistics reports a national youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) of 6.5% in Q2 2024, this headline figure masks a harsher reality. Independent assessments, including the State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, indicate that nearly 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed or severely underemployed, with over 1.7 million graduates entering the labour market yearly.
In Oyo State, the challenges are acute:
- Skills mismatch — Many graduates lack competencies demanded by industry, technology, agriculture, and services.
- Infrastructure gaps — Unreliable power, poor roads, and limited digital access hinder business growth.
- Limited capital and mentorship — Promising ideas rarely scale due to lack of funding and support.
- Over-reliance on formal/government jobs — This sidelines viable opportunities in agribusiness, creative industries, and vocational trades.
The result is widespread underemployment, poverty, restiveness, crime, and brain-drain. If unaddressed, this crisis will undermine food security, peace, and all-round development.
Practical Solutions: My Commitment
Youth unemployment is solvable with bold, focused, and inclusive policies. If elected in 2027, my administration will prioritise it as an emergency, working with the federal APC government, private sector, and development partners.
1. Education for Employability
Reform curricula to embed digital literacy, entrepreneurship, coding, and practical skills. Establish innovation and vocational hubs across zones, ensuring every graduate leaves with market-ready competencies and certifications.
2. Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Launch an Oyo Youth Enterprise Fund with low-interest loans, grants, and equity via public-private partnerships. Create incubation centres offering mentorship, legal support, and market access, targeting 50,000 new youth-led businesses in the first term, with special focus on women and persons with disabilities.
3. Modernising Agriculture for Youth
Reposition farming as a profitable career through climate-smart technology, irrigation, processing facilities, land access, inputs, and guaranteed markets. Youth agripreneurs will drive food security and exports.
4. Power and Infrastructure for Job Creation
Deliver reliable electricity within the first eight months through renewables and private investment. This will unlock SMEs, cold chains, and digital services that generate thousands of jobs.
5. Digital and Creative Economy Push
Invest in broadband, digital skills academies, and incentives for fintech, e-commerce, film, music, and animation. Public works programmes will engage youth while building transferable skills.
6. Youth Inclusion in Governance
Establish a functional Youth Advisory Council, ensure significant youth representation in appointments, and hold regular town-hall meetings. Transparency in all youth programmes will be mandatory.
These commitments are realistic, fiscally responsible, and grounded in collaboration. Oyo has the land, the talent, and the will, we need leadership to unlock them.
To the youths of Oyo: Your anger is understandable, but your potential is boundless. Partner with us to build a state where dignity, prosperity, and purpose are within reach.
To parents and stakeholders: This is a shared challenge whose solution will be our collective victory.
Together, we can make Oyo a shining model of youth-led progress in Nigeria. I am ready to lead this transformation in 2027.
Youth Unemployment in Oyo State: The Crisis and a Practical Roadmap Forward
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