Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as YAYI, has outlined proposals for youth employment, creative industries, education and infrastructure in Ogun State following an interactive meeting with young people in Abeokuta ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate addressed participants at an event titled “The Gen Z Asks, YAYI Listens”, held at the Cultural Centre in Kuto. His proposals included stronger links between employers and qualified jobseekers, expanded vocational training and greater institutional support for entertainment and tourism.
According to statements attributed to Adeola following the meeting, his proposed administration would seek partnerships with industries operating in Ogun State to improve employment opportunities for residents. He said qualified young people should have better access to vacancies and pledged to strengthen the state’s capacity to attract investment.
The senator also proposed developing the creative economy through a more active Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He described Ogun as a state with considerable artistic talent and said a future administration under his leadership would seek to identify and promote performers, filmmakers and other creative professionals.
His remarks placed cultural enterprise alongside more conventional economic priorities. Ogun’s proximity to Lagos and its industrial base make employment, transport links and opportunities for young entrepreneurs prominent issues in the governorship contest. However, the proposals remain campaign commitments rather than implemented government programmes.
Participants also raised concerns about education, roads, professional opportunities and the departure of skilled Nigerians for work abroad. Adeola acknowledged the pressure on medical professionals to seek opportunities outside Nigeria and said improved employment conditions would form part of his response if elected.
He proposed a Ministry of Wealth Creation to support empowerment and skills programmes. Adeola further promised improvements to road infrastructure and educational facilities, although the available statements did not establish project budgets, implementation timetables or specific funding arrangements.
The senator said he intended to hold quarterly engagements with young people to encourage participation in government decisions. He also proposed a command centre through which residents could report problems requiring official attention. Neither mechanism has yet been established as a state government service.
Organiser Kira Taiwo described the meeting as an opportunity for young people to contribute to discussions about Ogun’s future. The gathering brought questions about employment and public services into a campaign that will ultimately be judged on the detail and feasibility of competing candidates’ proposals.
Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji was also acknowledged during the event for encouraging young participants to develop their talents. His involvement reflected the prominence given to the creative sector in the discussion.
Adeola currently represents Ogun West in the Senate. His candidacy follows a prolonged debate about political representation across Ogun’s senatorial districts, with supporters arguing that Ogun West should have the opportunity to produce the next governor.
The latest pledges add to his public commitments on empowerment and development. Their practical significance will depend on the policies, costings and accountability arrangements presented to voters before the 2027 election.
