AIRPORT ACHIEVED, NOW THE REAL LIFT-OFF”: EKITI’S YOUTH TO BECOME STATE’S NEW EXPORT PILOTS

In a resounding endorsement of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, the Governor’s Technical Advisor on Youth Inclusion,Hon. Ayo Ojo, has lauded the successful inauguration of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti State Airport as a transformative milestone.

Ojo credits the Governor’s visionary leadership for unlocking unprecedented avenues for commerce, tourism, and global connectivity, setting a new developmental pace for the state. He asserts that this critical infrastructure has laid the essential runway for a more ambitious economic takeoff.

Building on this achievement, Ojo suggests a bold strategic blueprint designed to position Ekiti’s youth at the forefront of a global agro-export revolution. The plan, titled “Positioning Ekiti Youth for Global Export,” is a direct response to harnessing the airport’s agro-allied potential to empower young entrepreneurs.

It aims to systematically equip them with the skills, funding, and market access needed to transform local produce like yam, cocoa, and cassava into premium exports for European, Asian, and American markets.

The advisor’s confidence is rooted in proven models, citing inspirational case studies of youth-led agro-ventures across Africa. He highlights individuals like Cynthia Mosunmola Umoru of Honeysuckles PTL, who exports processed cassava to the UK, and Uganda’s Farmunera platform, which connects farmers to international buyers. These examples, Ojo notes, demonstrate that with targeted training in export standards, digital tools, and access to micro-finance, Ekiti’s youth can overcome traditional barriers and compete globally, using the new airport as their dedicated export gateway.

To actualize this vision, Ojo outlines a detailed four-phase action plan, calling for an initial state investment to establish training bootcamps, build processing incubators near the airport, and provide pilot grants. He projects that by the second year, the initiative can launch 1,000 youth-led ventures, generate over N5 billion in export revenue, and create up to 5,000 jobs. A key proposal is the creation of an “Ekiti Export Hub” digital platform to link young farmers directly with international buyers and streamline logistics.

In a final clarion call, Mr. Ayo Ojo urges Governor Oyebanji to endorse and resource this initiative, capitalizing on the airport’s momentum to secure a legacy of inclusive prosperity. He proposes convening a “Youth Export Role Models Summit” by January 2026 to galvanize stakeholders, asserting that strategic investment in the youth is the definitive next step to translate infrastructural success into widespread, sustainable wealth for Ekiti State.