By Samuel Sunday
The Ekiti State Government has disbursed N49 million as the second tranche of its 2026 youth subvention to 90 youth organisations across the state, in what officials and beneficiaries described as a major boost to youth development and grassroots mobilization.
The disbursement, announced on Monday, brings the total number of subvention tranches under the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration to six since the programme commenced in 2024.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Adesola Gold Adedayo, who disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, said the approval was granted by Governor Oyebanji as part of efforts to strengthen youth organisations, promote grassroots participation, and empower young people to contribute meaningfully to state development.
Adedayo explained that the subvention was designed to support registered youth, student, and community-based organisations in implementing programmes and running their activities without excessive reliance on politicians or personal contributions from members.
“The intervention is to enable our youth organisations to function effectively, implement impactful programmes and contribute to community development. Government is determined to ensure that youths across the state benefit from the shared prosperity agenda,” he said.
The commissioner added that the programme had been expanded in this cycle to accommodate more community-based youth organisations at the grassroots level.
Adedayo urged beneficiaries to utilize the funds judiciously for activities that would strengthen their organisations, build members’ capacity, and impact their communities.
To ensure transparency, he said government had made it mandatory for beneficiary organisations to operate functional association bank accounts for the disbursement, rather than payments into personal accounts of officials.
He added that all beneficiaries are required to submit detailed reports on activities carried out and how the funds were utilized.
“We will continue to expand the programme to accommodate more duly registered and active youth organisations whose activities can be verified. The ultimate objective is to empower youths to become active contributors to the development of Ekiti State,” he stated.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Ambassador Elijah E. Maxwell, said the consistency of the intervention since 2024 demonstrated the Oyebanji administration’s commitment to youth development.
According to him, the subvention has reduced the pressure on youth organisations to constantly seek financial assistance from politicians.
“This direct financial support has enabled youth organisations to finance programmes, meet office-related expenses and organise activities that positively engage young people and keep them away from idleness,” Maxwell said.
Reacting, beneficiaries commended the state government for the initiative, noting its impact on their operations.
The Southwest Treasurer of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Ashabi Femi Sabi, said the subvention had significantly improved the association’s ability to run its affairs.
“This is a departure from the past when student organisations had to approach individuals and politicians for financial assistance. We will deploy our allocation to programmes with direct impact on students, including support for students facing financial difficulties,” Sabi said.
Also speaking, the Ekiti State Chairmen of the National Youth Congress and the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Temitope Adedara and Ambassador James Bankole respectively, commended government for extending the scheme to grassroots organisations.
They noted that many grassroots groups previously lacked the resources to execute their programmes.
“The intervention has provided youth organisations with the financial capacity to implement programmes that had remained on paper. It has also strengthened cooperation among youth organisations and reduced unhealthy rivalry,” they said.
The youth leaders urged beneficiaries to ensure the funds had direct impact on members and communities, and pledged to use the support to strengthen their organisations and improve members’ welfare.
The Ekiti State Youth Subvention Programme was introduced in 2024 as part of the Oyebanji administration’s youth development agenda. It provides direct financial support to registered youth bodies to promote civic engagement, skills development, and community service across the state.
With the latest disbursement, government says it remains committed to institutionalizing support for youth structures as a strategy for sustainable development.
