Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria – The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has taken a bold step in reducing unemployment in Ekiti State by disbursing loans totaling over N1.9 million to unemployed youths engaged in agri-business across all 16 local government areas. The loan disbursement, conducted under the 2023 Sustainable Agricultural Development and Empowerment Scheme (SADES), aims to enhance agricultural investments and foster economic development in the region.
During the ceremony held in Ado-Ekiti, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, Director-General of NDE, highlighted the agency’s commitment to reducing unemployment rates by encouraging skills acquisition among the youth. Represented by the State Coordinator, Sanusi Akeem, Fikpo emphasized that the beneficiaries, who received training in agriculture enterprises through the Rural Employment Promotion program, would be supported with a loan of N100,000 each to propel their businesses and contribute to economic growth.
“The loan is intended to enable them to establish and manage small-scale agricultural enterprises in their chosen fields, fostering self-reliance, wealth creation, and employment opportunities for others,” Fikpo explained. He urged the beneficiaries to view this opportunity as a rare privilege and to ensure its success. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of utilizing the loan to expand their enterprises and advised prompt repayment to facilitate subsequent benefits for other unemployed youth, thereby reducing poverty in society.
Dr. Sylvester Ekemhonye, representing Edem Duke, Director of the Rural Employment Promotion Department at the NDE headquarters, stressed the need for responsible loan utilization. He urged the beneficiaries to allocate the funds exclusively to their enterprises and refrain from diverting them for other purposes. Additionally, Ekemhonye advised timely repayment within three months to ensure the scheme’s sustainability and maximize opportunities for other unemployed youths to benefit.
The NDE’s initiative to empower unemployed youths in the agri-business sector reflects the agency’s commitment to equipping individuals with the necessary skills and resources for entrepreneurship. By bridging the gap between unemployment and economic independence, this program aims to create a positive impact on the local economy while fostering a culture of self-reliance and wealth generation among the youth in Ekiti State.
