​Ondo Govt Unveils ‘Lucky Light’ to Power 1,000 Businesses

​AKURE — In a major push to stimulate economic growth and cushion the impact of high energy costs, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has unveiled the Lucky Light Initiative.

​The phased intervention is designed to supply reliable, clean, and affordable solar electricity to 1,000 small-scale enterprises across all 18 local government areas of the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa made the announcement on Saturday during the 2026 Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) Entrepreneurs Summit, held at The Dome in Akure.

​Emphasizing that electricity is a vital component of production rather than a luxury, the governor stated that the scheme is an economic intervention tailored to lower overhead costs for businesses. The rollout begins immediately, with the initial phase targeting businesses in structured batches before expanding statewide.

​Shifting Focus to Value Addition

​Speaking on the summit’s theme, “The New Ondo: Positioning Entrepreneurs for Emerging Opportunities,” Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that his administration is deliberately diversifying the economy. He highlighted agriculture, agro-processing, the blue economy, solid minerals, technology, and renewable energy as critical growth sectors.

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​The state’s fundamental objective, according to the governor, is to transition Ondo from merely producing raw materials to processing, packaging, branding, and exporting finished, value-added products.

​Grants and Wealth-Creation Packages

​Highlighting youth inclusion, 20 standout young entrepreneurs emerged from the ‘ONDEA My IDEA’ screening process to receive financial grants, business support packages, and dedicated mentorship.

​In a surprise addition to the empowerment package, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged to purchase shares in the Dangote Group of Companies for 500 young entrepreneurs in the state, aiming to introduce them to long-term investment opportunities and wealth generation.

​Federal Backing and Expert Insights

​Representing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, his Special Adviser, Toba Oyedele, noted that local entrepreneurs remain central to the Federal Government’s target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

​Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Investment, Dr. Summy Smart Francis, credited ONDEA’s aggressive institutional reforms—including a 48-hour response system for business inquiries—as a driver for enterprise growth under the governor’s seven-point OUR EASE Agenda.

​Media entrepreneur Morayo Afolabi-Brown also charged investors to unlock the vast economic potential embedded across the Southwest region, moving beyond the traditional economic concentration in Lagos.