NGOs challenge Adeleke to create 100,000 jobs for Osun youths
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
A coalition of non-governmental organisations has challenged the re-elected Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, to formulate policies that would create 100,000 jobs for youths in the state over the next four years.
The groups, which focus on youth development, also urged the administration to establish digital training hubs and innovation centres across the three senatorial districts to equip young people with relevant skills.
The coalition made the demands while presenting the Osun Youth Development Charter 2026-2030, developed through a participatory process involving 38 youth organisations and 50 youth leaders across the state. The charter also incorporated responses from an online survey conducted through osunyouthcharter.org.
Presenting the report, the convener, Abdulsemih Adabanija, said the administration should prioritise employment opportunities for young people in sectors including Information and Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture and tourism.
“Today, we do not have a technology hub backed by the state government. In neighbouring states like Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo and Lagos, we have seen that they have invested massively in technology so that young people can have opportunities to get trained, acquire skills and receive mentorship at these hubs.
“So, our demand will be that there must be a central technology hub in Osun State, located in the state capital, Osogbo, and at least one in each of the senatorial districts,” Adabanija said.
On education, the coalition called for functional education from the elementary to tertiary levels, strict supervision, incentives for teachers and lecturers, and scholarships for outstanding students to further their studies.
Adabanija also called for greater attention to peace and security, as well as the appointment of young professionals to ministries with direct bearing on youths, including the Ministries of Youths, Innovation and Agriculture.
