The Ondo State Government has launched the Lucky Light Initiative, a solar energy programme that will provide power systems to 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa unveiled the initiative on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the 2026 Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) Entrepreneurs Summit held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome) in Akure.
The summit was themed “The New Ondo: Positioning Entrepreneurs for Emerging Opportunities”.
Aiyedatiwa described Lucky Light as an economic intervention rather than a household electrification programme, saying electricity has become a major production cost for small businesses.
“With the Lucky Light Initiative, we are providing a practical solution that will reduce this burden and help entrepreneurs run their operations more efficiently and profitably,” the governor said, according to a statement reported by Punch on Saturday.
Under the programme, selected businesses will receive solar panels, inverter systems, battery storage, charge controllers and installation support. The official ONDEA programme page says the initiative is designed for businesses operating from physical premises and covers both registered and informal micro, small and medium enterprises.
The programme will be implemented in four phases over four years. The first phase will support 200 businesses, followed by another 200 in the second phase. The third and fourth phases will support 300 businesses each, bringing the total to 1,000 beneficiaries. Each phase is planned to cover all 18 local government areas.
Businesses in sectors including agro-processing, fashion, food production, retail, information and communication technology, digital services and the creative economy are eligible.
Earlier programme projections cited by media reports estimate that participating businesses could cut energy costs by as much as 70 per cent, while productivity and operating hours could rise by between 30 and 60 per cent. Economic projections have also put the potential additional annual economic value from the programme at more than ₦2 billion. These figures are projections, not guaranteed outcomes.
The initiative is part of Aiyedatiwa’s OUR EASE agenda, which includes affordable energy access, entrepreneurship development and industrial growth. The governor said his administration wants Ondo to move beyond the production of raw materials towards processing, packaging, branding and exporting finished products.
At the summit, Aiyedatiwa also announced support for 20 young entrepreneurs selected through the ONDEA My IDEA screening process. They will receive funding, business support, mentorship and opportunities for further development.
The governor further announced plans to purchase Dangote Group shares for 500 young entrepreneurs in the state, saying the move was intended to promote investment and wealth creation among young people.
