Oyo 2027: understanding Sen Sarafa Ali 10b yearly grant for youths By seun oloketuyi

As the race for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State gathers momentum, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli,ɓ has unveiled plans to establish a ₦10 billion youth fund as part of his proposed strategy to create more economic opportunities for young people.

The proposal is contained in his campaign manifesto, titled The People’s Manifesto: Seven pillars, One Plan, which was presented in Ibadan on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The document outlines seven key areas Alli says he would prioritise if elected governor.Under the fifth pillar, which focuses on Economy, Investment and Jobs Creation, the former senator proposes a ₦10 billion Oyo Youth Fund, with a commitment to make the list of beneficiaries public Although the manifesto does not provide a breakdown of how the fund would be administered, the proposal signals an intention to make financial support available to young people and give them opportunities to pursue their ambitions.

Details of the eligibility requirements, application process and categories of beneficiaries are, however, not specified in the document.For many young people in Oyo State, access to funding remains an important issue, particularly for those looking to start businesses, develop existing ventures or turn their skills and ideas into sustainable sources of income.

The proposed fund is therefore one of the notable economic promises in Alli’s manifesto, although its eventual impact would depend on how it is implemented and who benefits.Beyond the youth fund, Alli’s economic plan also includes a proposal to increase Oyo State’s internally generated revenue from ₦103 billion to ₦150 billion annually.

He apsalary payments for workers on the 25th of every month, alongside the introduction of a 13th-month salary.Alli’s proposed youth intervention is part of a wider development agenda that covers education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security and local government administration.

On education, the APC candidate proposes reducing the number of pupils in primary school classrooms to 30 per class, as well as introducing a programme known as Scholar2Job, aimed at helping graduates secure employment with employers.

He also identifies the number of out-of-school children as a major concern, with the manifesto citing an estimated 674,000 children between the ages of three and 17 who are not attending school. His education plan places emphasis on improving access to learning and creating better opportunities for young people to build their future.In healthcare, Alli proposes free medical care for children under the age of 10 and adults above 70.

He also promises to reduce maternal deaths during childbirth by at least 30 per cent, while improving access to essential health services.

Agriculture and solid minerals also feature in the manifesto, with plans to increase the share of the state budget allocated to agriculture from 2.24 per cent to 10 per cent. Other proposals include bringing nine old farm settlements back into use and providing insurance coverage for 10,000 farmers against crop losses.On infrastructure, Alli outlines plans to improve access to drinking water, complete abandoned road projects and establish what he describes as a working electricity market for Oyo State.

His security proposals include the use of drones to monitor forests and farm roads, alongside closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance. The manifesto also promises to make information on government contracts and their costs publicly available.Another major part of the document focuses on local government administration.

Alli advocates greater financial autonomy for the 33 local government areas, arguing that councils should have more control over their resources and responsibilities.

He also sets out personal commitments on how he intends to run the government, including paying salaries and pensions on the 25th of every month, ensuring women are represented in appointments and publishing a performance report every quarter.One of the commitments outlined in the manifesto is that he would not seek a second term if Oyo State is not better under his administration.

With the proposed ₦10 billion youth fund taking a prominent place in his economic agenda, Alli is making youth development one of the issues he wants voters to consider ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election.

The proposal, alongside the other promises in the seven-pillar manifesto, will ultimately be judged by how clearly the plans are translated into policies, how the funds are made available and the benefits they deliver to residents across the state.