Residents Differ Over Alleged Lack Of Opportunities For Osun Youth
A Chartered Management Consultant leading Operational and Process Improvements in the UK Defence & Security Industry, Dr Dipo Awojide, has called out the Osun State government over what he described as lack of opportunities for Osun youths.
Awojide said Osun citizens were missing out on policies and programmes that significantly promote and attract investment policies and reduce barriers for young entrepreneurs.
He also said the state is missing out on large-scale investment in digital skills, vocational training, and technical education as well as partnerships with private sector players to deliver training and mentorship in tech, agriculture, and the creative industries.
Awojide, who hails from Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state, in a statement obtained on Wednesday, said unlike other states, Osun does not have a functioning agency to attract meaningful investment as well as create decent jobs for the populace.
But another resident from Ayeedade Local Government, Comr. Olayiwola Babatunde, said Awojide’s remarks appear less about constructive engagement and more about chasing clout for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Bola Oyebamiji.
Babatunde said contrary to Awojide’s claims, Osun State is steadily achieving its set goals and making measurable progress. Unlike in the past, young entrepreneurs and business owners are no longer burdened with multiple and arbitrary taxation.
Awojide said, “A couple of months ago, I criticised the Osun State Government for not paying maximum attention to investment promotion and job creation across the state. I had probed and tried to understand why several sectors were moving at such a slow pace, and others were completely static.
“Over the years, I have followed the policies and programmes in other states across Nigeria. Infact, I have been an active participant, delivering speeches and training in Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Enugu.
“Although, this is public information, I must note it here for every Osun citizen, so we begin to appreciate what we are missing. The under-listed states have established the following agencies tasked with attracting meaningful investment as well as creating decent jobs for the populace.
“Lagos – The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Edo – The Edo State Skills Development Agency
Nasarawa – Nasarawa Investment & Development Agency (NASIDA) Ekiti – Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA) Kaduna – Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) Enugu – Enugu State SME Centre Ogun State – Ogun ICT/Tech Hub Ekiti – Ekiti State ICT/MSME Hub.
“The Agencies listed above are all actively delivering benefits for the populace in their respective states. As such, my criticism of the Osun State Government was to inspire action.
“I had urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to consider allocating significant funding towards agencies that will promote investment, MSMEs, and tourism, as such help to create jobs for our young citizens. Although there is an Osun Investment Promotion Agency working closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry their performance has been below par and this could be attributed to the lack of political will and the seriousness required to move the needle.
“We know that over 60% of Nigeria’s population is under 30. This is a demographic advantage that can drive innovation, productivity, and long-term growth. Young people across Nigeria are not beneficiaries, but development partners.
“Osun State citizens are missing out on policies and programmes that significantly promote and attract investment
Policies and programmes that reduce barriers for young entrepreneurs (for example, simplified business registration, tax incentives, improved visibility, access to markets, etc.).
“Largescale investment in digital skills, vocational training, and technical education Significant partnerships with private sector players to deliver training and mentorship in tech, agriculture, and the creative industries.
“Access to finance and startup capital I should conclude by noting that currently, MSMEs account for most jobs in Nigeria, and development is a collective effort. As such, the Osun State Government is expected to position itself as a catalyst and driver of the transformation that would take Osun to the next level in terms of attracting investments and creating decent jobs for our young people.
“One would have expected that with all the funds that the Osun state government have received since 2022, there would have been an establishment of a youth innovation fund, microcredit schemes for young entrepreneurs, grants for early-stage businesses, and a significant drive to attract investment into Osun. But this is not the case.”
He added that the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has not demonstrated the capacity and the seriousness required to change the situation.
“Unfortunately, Governor Ademola Adeleke does not appear to be the leader to provide these solutions. I say so because he has not demonstrated the capacity and the seriousness required to move the needle. I doubt that will change going forward,” Awojide concluded.
However, Babatunde in his reaction, added that development partners and investors are showing renewed interest in the state, while stakeholders across sectors are actively contributing to Osun’s transformation.
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“Rather than offering objective analysis, Dipo has chosen selective comparisons, conveniently ignoring the realities on ground in order to satisfy his political interests. His attempt to undermine this administration and disregards the measurable progress recorded under Governor Ademola Adeleke over the last three years is catastrophic for a man believed to be well learned.”
He listed several youth engagement, ICT, digital skills, investment, and business policies designed to strengthen Osun’s economic ecosystem under the current administration to include, “Comprehensive Land Reform Policy (C of O in 45 Days), Tax Harmonisation and Revenue Reforms, Revival and Strengthening of the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency (OSIPA), Imole Business Empowerment Scheme 1.0 – providing grants, mentorship, CAC registration, and POS terminals to youth and women, Ward-Based and Conventional Cooperative Revolving Loan Scheme – deploying capital across wards to support small cooperatives and stimulate grassroots economic activity.
“It is therefore misleading for Dipo to parade agencies from other states while ignoring the concrete achievements of this administration. Governance is not about replicating structures for optics, it is about delivering measurable impact. This administration has deliberately chosen a results driven approach over cosmetic institutional proliferation known with the Osun APC.
“Since 2022, Governor Ademola Adeleke has prioritised fiscal stabilisation, workers’ welfare, infrastructure rehabilitation, and economic recovery foundational steps necessary for sustainable growth. It is therefore inaccurate and unserious of any individual to suggest that he lacks the capacity or seriousness to continue advancing Osun State.
“The people of Osun have entrusted their mandate to Governor Ademola Adeleke, and no amount of political mischief can erase the visible progress being made. Osun is moving forward, those who truly care about the state’s development should engage constructively rather than resort to politically motivated narratives.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
