Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has announced plans to buy shares in the Dangote Group of Companies for 500 young entrepreneurs in the state as part of measures to promote investment and wealth creation among youths.
The governor said the initiative would expose the beneficiaries to opportunities beyond running their individual businesses, while encouraging them to develop long-term investment portfolios.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed this on Saturday during the 2026 Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency Entrepreneurs Summit held at The Dome, International Centre for Culture and Events, Igbatoro Road, Akure.
The summit, organised by the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency, was held under the theme, “The New Ondo: Positioning Entrepreneurs for Emerging Opportunities.”
The governor also introduced the Lucky Light Initiative, a programme designed to provide solar-powered electricity to 1,000 small businesses spread across the state’s 18 local government areas.
He explained that the electricity intervention was targeted at reducing the energy burden on small businesses, stressing that power supply had become a major factor affecting production costs.
Aiyedatiwa further announced 20 winners of the ONDEA My IDEA selection exercise, saying they would receive grants, business support and mentorship opportunities to help develop their enterprises.
He said his administration was working to expand the state’s economic base by promoting opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, cocoa, tourism, oil and gas, solid minerals, technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics and exports.
The governor said the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency would continue helping residents formalise their businesses, acquire skills, access equipment and finance, and transition from informal activities to sustainable enterprises capable of creating employment.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, his Special Adviser, Toba Oyedele, said entrepreneurs would be critical to the Federal Government’s target of growing the Nigerian economy to $1tn by 2030.
Also speaking, the governor’s Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment, Summy Smart Francis, urged young entrepreneurs to pursue opportunities with clear goals and discipline, while media entrepreneur Morayo Afolabi-Brown advocated increased investment across the South-West beyond Lagos.
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