Nigeria Targets Youth-Led Agricultural Growth with FG–IITA Partnership

News in brief:

-The Federal Government and IITA have launched a programme to train six million Nigerian youths in agriculture and agribusiness.

-The initiative will provide access to farmland, training and agribusiness innovation hubs through 42 National Youth Development Centres.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture to train more than six million Nigerian youths in agriculture and agribusiness as part of efforts to boost food security, create employment and expand youth participation in the sector.

The collaboration was formalised in Abuja through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and IITA during the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF).

Programme to Provide Skills and Farmland Access

Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande stated that the initiative aims to equip young Nigerians with modern agricultural knowledge, exposure to value chain opportunities and climate-smart farming practices required to build sustainable agribusiness ventures.

He explained that the programme would utilise the ministry’s network of 42 National Youth Development Centres to facilitate access to farmland for participating youths.

According to the minister, limited access to land has remained one of the major barriers preventing young people from actively participating in agriculture.

Land Trust Fund to Support Agribusiness Development

Olawande noted that the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund would consolidate land resources within the centres and make them available to young Nigerians as a platform for agricultural enterprise development.

He also commended IITA for its readiness to train more than six million youths already registered in the ministry’s database who have expressed interest in agriculture.

Expanding Economic Opportunities for Young Nigerians

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, revealed that the partnership would unlock economic opportunities for young Nigerians by expanding their access to land, digital farming technologies and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

She noted that with nearly 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, equipping youths with relevant skills and mentorship would strengthen food security and economic prosperity.

Agribusiness Innovation Hubs to Support Startups

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of IITA, Simeon Ehui, claimed that the plan is to transform Nigeria’s youth population into a major driver of agricultural innovation and economic growth.

He explained that the 42 Youth Development Centres would be converted into agribusiness innovation hubs where young people could acquire practical skills, establish agribusiness ventures and connect with markets and investors.

Ehui added that the programme aims to train six million young Nigerians over the next three years and support hundreds of thousands of youth-led agribusiness enterprises across the country.

He emphasised that agriculture should increasingly be viewed as a sector of opportunity rather than a last resort for young people, adding that the initiative would strengthen food security, revitalise rural communities and expand economic opportunities nationwide.