RismadarVoice Reporters
September 20, 2026
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has announced plans to purchase shares in the Dangote Group for 500 young entrepreneurs in the state as part of measures to promote wealth creation and financial inclusion.
Mr Aiyedatiwa disclosed this at the 2026 ONDEA Entrepreneurs Summit in Akure, where he said beneficiaries would be selected from young entrepreneurs participating in the state’s enterprise development programmes.
According to the governor, the initiative would give the beneficiaries an ownership interest in one of Africa’s major indigenous business groups while introducing them to investment opportunities in the capital market.
He also unveiled the Lucky Light Initiative, which he said would provide solar power support to 1,000 small businesses across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Mr Aiyedatiwa clarified that the programme was designed to support businesses rather than provide household electricity.
The governor also announced an N80 million grant for 20 entrepreneurs selected under the ONDEA My IDEA programme.
Each beneficiary will receive N4 million, alongside mentorship, business development support and opportunities for international exposure, he said.
Mr Aiyedatiwa said the various initiatives were part of his administration’s plan to shift Ondo State from an economy largely dependent on the civil service towards one driven by entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Our goal is to move beyond producing raw materials to processing, packaging, branding and exporting finished products for local and global markets,” he said.
The summit was themed, “Positioning Entrepreneurs for Emerging Opportunities.”
In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, represented by his Special Adviser, Toba Oyedele, said entrepreneurs would play a significant role in Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment, Summy Smart Francis, said the My IDEA programme attracted more than 2,703 applications.
He said 20 beneficiaries emerged after completing a three-stage screening process.
Also speaking at the event, media entrepreneur and former TVC Entertainment boss, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, urged investors to explore business opportunities outside Lagos, particularly across the South-West.
She said the region had significant opportunities that could attract more private-sector investment and support the growth of local businesses.
