OYO STATE EARMARKS 1,000 HECTARES FOR YOUTH REINTEGRATION PROGRAMME

The Oyo State Government has announced the allocation of 1,000 hectares of land in Iganna, Itesiwaju Local Government Area, for a reintegration and empowerment programme targeted at curbing irregular migration among youths, particularly those who attempt to migrate illegally through the desert route to Europe.
This initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the European Union, and the National Centre for Migration Policy. The state’s Adviser on Migration and Homeland Security, retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Immigration, Segun Adegoke, revealed this during the inaugural meeting of the state’s Reintegration Committee.
According to Adegoke, the committee will focus on advocacy, prevention, and long-term reintegration of returnees. He stated that Oyo State is committed to developing a structured and sustainable model that not only rehabilitates returnees but also creates opportunities to discourage illegal migration at the root.
The land will be used for agricultural and vocational training projects aimed at providing gainful employment for the youth. The programme, backed by international partners, will also serve as a pilot for other states battling with the socioeconomic fallout of irregular migration.
This bold move positions Oyo as a proactive player in addressing one of the country’s most pressing demographic challenges — the mass exodus of young Nigerians due to lack of opportunities.