The Edo State Government has empowered youths with cash grants, skills training and mentorship at the second edition of the Edo Youth Impact Forum (EYIF 2026), reaffirming its commitment to tackling unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and driving inclusive economic growth.
The two-day forum which held 18th and 19th August, 2026, at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, and with the theme, “Ideas, Capital, Impact,” provided young people with access to funding opportunities, market-relevant training, mentorship and direct engagement with industry leaders, policymakers among other stakeholders.
Representing the Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Umar Ikhilor, said the initiative aligned with the administration’s SHINE Agenda and reflects its commitment to practical governance through training, mentorship and post-training support. He said the Government remained committed to equipping young people with the resources, skills and opportunities required to contribute meaningfully to the development of the State, while also giving them a voice in shaping Edo’s future.
The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, stated that a person’s background should not determine his or her destiny, noting that the gap between potential and achievement was often access to opportunity, which EYIF was designed to bridge. He charged beneficiaries to utilise the grants to build sustainable businesses, create jobs and contribute to the State’s economic development, while urging other applicants to continue refining their ideas.
According to the Deputy Governor, the administration of Sen. Okpebholo is committed to building an Edo where young people can work, innovate, invest and thrive. He called for stronger partnerships among government, the private sector and young people to create an enabling environment where youths would not only wait for opportunities, but also create them.
Similarly, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, commended the SHINE Agenda of the Governor for creating an enabling environment for businesses and young entrepreneurs to thrive. She noted that sustainable economic development requires collaboration among the private sector, development partners, financial institutions and young people.
Describing youths as the past, present and future of Edo State, Mrs. Anani said providing them with funding, mentorship and market access represented an investment in the future of Edo State and Nigeria. She urged participants to build networks, foster communities of mentorship and translate their ideas into practical ventures. She also congratulated the finalists and commended partners and stakeholders for their supports.
The Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo, said the Forum was designed around the pillars of Ideas, Capital and Impact, with the objective of connecting youth talents to economic opportunities. He noted that while Edo youths were creative and enterprising, the responsibility of government was to identify, develop, finance and connect their talents to value-creating opportunities. He urged participants to focus on building networks and partnerships, rather than viewing the Forum merely as an event to attend.
Hon. Amayaenvbo stated that the Ministry was committed to delivering tangible outcomes in skills development, job creation and enterprise support. He called on the private sector and development partners to collaborate with government to expand young people’s access to capital and markets, stressing that capital flows to credible and investable ideas. According to him, true empowerment goes beyond providing immediate financial support to building the capacity of young people to consistently create value.
The Team Lead, EYIF 2.0, Mr. Kizito Okpebholo, disclosed that the 2026 edition received 2,388 applications for the youth grants. He said external judges were engaged in the selection process to ensure transparency, credibility and fairness in determining the beneficiaries.
Mr. Okpebholo also announced a ₦40 million grant pool for outstanding youth-led ventures across three categories, comprising ₦2.5 million for idea-stage businesses, ₦5 million each for three growth-stage ventures, and scale-up grants for two established businesses.
The programme attracted top government functionaries, captains of industry, development partners, young entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. It featured masterclasses, panel discussions, fireside chats and other interactive sessions designed to equip participants with practical skills, market insights and networks needed to develop and scaleup ventures.
The second edition of EYIF further underscored the Edo State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment through a combination of funding, skills development, mentorship, market access and strategic partnerships aimed at enabling young people to become active contributors to the State’s economic growth.
