The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ogun State election, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has unveiled plans to tackle unemployment, boost industrialisation, improve infrastructure and expand opportunities for young people if elected governor.
Adeola made the promises on Sunday during an interactive youth engagement tagged “THE GEN Z ASKS… YAYI LISTENS” at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, where he fielded questions on employment, education, entertainment, economic development and accountable governance.
Addressing youth unemployment, the senator said Ogun State would leverage its industrial base and proximity to Lagos to attract investments and create jobs. He also promised to strengthen partnerships with industries operating in the state, encourage the employment of qualified indigenes and organise an annual economic summit to showcase investment opportunities to local and international investors.
On culture and tourism, Adeola pledged to strengthen the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to support young talents and expand opportunities in the creative and entertainment industries. He also promised to extend his empowerment and vocational training programmes across the state’s 20 local government areas through dedicated government structures, including a proposed Ministry of Wealth Creation.
On infrastructure, the APC candidate said his administration would prioritise road construction and rehabilitation, promising to undertake road projects of at least 10 kilometres. He also pledged to improve learning environments in public schools and consolidate the infrastructural achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
In a commitment to accountability, Adeola promised to institutionalise quarterly interactive engagements with young people, allowing them to question his administration and assess its performance. He also proposed a dedicated command centre where residents could report challenges and lodge complaints for government attention.
Speaking at the event, Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji encouraged young Nigerians to develop their talents and pursue success at home, citing his own career as evidence that it was possible to build a successful life in Nigeria.
Adeola urged young people to hold him accountable for his promises, declaring: “If I can do it as a senator, I will do more as governor. I have set a standard that I can only improve upon. Hold me responsible.”
The engagement forms part of the APC candidate’s outreach to young voters ahead of the 2027 Ogun governorship election, with employment, economic opportunities, infrastructure and public accountability emerging as key issues.