Youth Empowerment Beyond Appointments: Bamitale Ibrahim Holly Demands Accountability From Makinde Government Ahead of 2027

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, a former beneficiary of the Oyo State Government’s Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), Bamitale Ibrahim Holly, has called for a broader definition of youth empowerment in the state, arguing that it should go beyond political appointments to include access to capital, skills, jobs and sustainable economic opportunities.

Holly, who spoke from his personal experience as a participant in the YEAP programme, said training young people without providing adequate support to translate acquired skills into businesses could limit the impact of such initiatives.

The Oyo State Government launched YEAP in 2021 with an initial plan to train 3,300 youths at CSS Global Integrated Farms in Nasarawa State. Participants were exposed to areas including agribusiness, irrigation farming, fishery, poultry, hydroponics and agricultural value chains.

According to Holly, while the training was valuable, his experience after the programme highlighted what he described as a wider gap between training and sustainable economic empowerment.

He said the immediate support he personally received after the training was a ₦10,000 transport allowance, adding that he did not receive sustained assistance that could have enabled him to turn the knowledge acquired into a viable enterprise.

Holly therefore questioned what happens to young people after government-sponsored training programmes, stressing that the real measure of empowerment should be the outcomes recorded by beneficiaries after completing such programmes.

“Train us, but do not stop there. Equip us. Support viable ideas. Provide access to capital. Create opportunities. Follow up. Measure results,” he said.

His comments come months after the Oyo State Government announced the disbursement of ₦1.5 billion to 1,000 YEAP-SAfER beneficiaries, with each beneficiary receiving ₦1.5 million. The disbursement ceremony was held on March 23, 2026, in partnership with FCMB and the Mastercard Foundation.

Holly said the intervention was significant but argued that government should also provide clear and verifiable information on beneficiaries, the disbursement process and the measurable impact of the funds on the businesses of young agripreneurs.

He maintained that accountability should remain part of the conversation whenever public resources are deployed for youth empowerment.

The youth advocate also drew a distinction between political representation and economic empowerment, noting that Governor Seyi Makinde’s appointment of 27-year-old Seun Fakorede as Commissioner for Youth and Sports in 2019 demonstrated the inclusion of young people in government. Fakorede was sworn in as commissioner in August 2019.

However, Holly argued that the appointment of one young person to political office should not be presented as the complete measure of youth empowerment across Oyo State.

He said young people also require access to business capital, agricultural support, vocational opportunities, technology, mentorship, employment and avenues for meaningful participation in governance at the grassroots.

“Political appointment is representation. Economic empowerment is opportunity. The two should not be confused,” Holly said.

As the 2027 political conversation intensifies, he urged political parties and candidates to present clear and measurable plans for young entrepreneurs, farmers, graduates, artisans, professionals and unemployed youths.

Holly specifically called for the APC and other political platforms to make youth empowerment a central part of their programmes, while encouraging Oyo voters to examine the documented plans, proposed programmes and mechanisms presented by different parties and candidates.

He said the central question for the 2027 election should be what concrete opportunities young people will have after the election.

“Oyo youths deserve to compare the different parties and candidates based on their documented plans, proposed programmes and practical mechanisms for delivering sustainable opportunities,” he said.

Holly concluded that the 2027 campaign should focus not only on who gets appointed into government, but also on what young people are empowered to become.

“A commissioner is one young person. That is the difference between youth representation and genuine youth empowerment.”

— Bamitale Ibrahim Holly