The Federal Government has approved the nationwide scale-up of the Imo State Government’s ‘One Kindred, One Business Initiative’ (OKOBI) as a strategy to tackle unemployment and stimulate economic growth.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the decision on Tuesday during the launch of the OKOBI Students’ Club at Claretian University of Nigeria, Maryland, Nekede, near Owerri.
Represented by Mrs. Rukaiya El-Rufai of the Office of the Vice President, Shettima said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader national priorities, noting that entrepreneurship has become a necessity rather than an option for Nigeria’s expanding youth population.
“Let me emphasise that this initiative aligns strongly with our broader national priorities,” he said. “It supports financial inclusion by encouraging savings, investment, and access to finance. It also promotes digital adoption, as many of these businesses can leverage technology for growth.”
He added that the programme advances gender inclusion and supports vulnerable groups, ensuring no one is left behind. According to him, it will also contribute to improving Nigeria’s Human Capital Index ranking by 2030 by fostering collective action and enabling communities and students to transition from job seekers to job creators.
In his remarks, Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, reiterated his administration’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-driven development.
“This initiative is not just a policy; it is a movement designed to stimulate economic growth within our higher institutions and communities,” Uzodimma said. “By doing so, we are fostering self-reliance, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening the socio-economic fabric of the state.”
He stressed that the government was not merely distributing funds, but investing in ideas, aspirations, and the future, urging members of the students’ club to leverage the platform to develop ventures with tangible impact.
Also speaking, the Chief Economic Adviser to the governor, Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi, described the initiative as a grassroots response to unemployment. He noted that Imo State, with an estimated population of about five million and a high literacy rate, has experienced significant workforce migration to other states in search of employment.
“About 50 per cent of the 3.5 million eligible working-class population are unemployed in the state,” he said.
Amaeshi added that more than 600 businesses under the initiative have collectively generated over 20,000 jobs. He explained that the programme operates across three levels — community, social groups, and student clubs — and urged nationwide adoption to drive grassroots economic development.
He also commended IHS Nigeria for supporting the initiative through grants to beneficiaries, expressing satisfaction with the Federal Government’s decision to adopt the model as a national strategy.
In her remarks, the Director of Sustainability at IHS Nigeria, Mrs. Titilope Oguntuga, said the initiative reflects a strong commitment to empowering communities, strengthening local economies, and nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs.
“It is being recognised nationally for helping informal businesses open bank accounts and improve financial literacy,” she said.
Oguntuga added that the framework aligns with broader national recovery efforts, describing it as a shared economic vision that reduces risk and fosters collective progress.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Rev. Fr. Wence Made, represented by Rev. Fr. John Ezenwankwo, said the initiative would help address gaps in skills, trades, and innovation within the state. He commended the government for what he described as a well-conceived programme and for selecting the institution as a beneficiary.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of ₦9.5 million in grants by IHS Nigeria to seven cooperative societies to support community-driven enterprises.
