Ekiti Pays N1.4bn Compensation For Project

Ekiti State government has expressed its determination of protecting the interest of owners of land acquired for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) Project.

This informed the decision of the state government to train the impacted individuals following the payment of N1.4 billion as compensation to affected persons in June 2025.

This was carried out under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

To this end, a two-day Livelihood Restoration Training was organised by the Ekiti State Government for 97 identified vulnerable Project Affected Persons (PAPs) impacted by land acquisition for the EKZ Project.

At the commencement of the programme, the RAP implementation consultant, Dr Oliver Nwuju, described the livelihood restoration programme as a critical phase aimed at strengthening resilience and improving long-term income opportunities for the most vulnerable households within the host communities.

The training, according to Dr. Nwuju, was designed to enhance existing livelihoods, improve financial literacy, promote cooperative development, and link beneficiaries to emerging economic opportunities within the EKZ ecosystem.

He said beneficiaries of the programme span multiple vulnerable categories, including tenant farmers, hunters, women engaged in oil palm processing and petty trading, as well as other persons affected by land acquisition and displacement.

Also speaking, the Project Coordinator, Ms Lolade Olutola, assured those affected by the project of inclusivity and transparency in project implementation.

Olutola who spoke through the Environmental Safeguards Expert in charge of the project, Mr. Ayodele Aluko, reiterated the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration to strict adherence to Local Content Law.

LMs Olutola pledged to ensure that all qualified community members are engaged in both direct and indirect employment opportunities generated by the Ekiti Knowledge Zone throughout its development phases.

She also assured that all stakeholders including farmers, hunters, and oil palm processors who were originally operating within the EKZ project site would benefit from periodic stipends and livelihood support.

She said, “the Ekiti Knowledge Zone is a flagship development initiative aimed at positioning the state as a hub for innovation, research, technology, and enterprise combining infrastructure development with social safeguards to ensure that host communities are active beneficiaries of progress.”