The Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train six million Nigerian youths in agriculture and agribusiness.
The agreement was signed during the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund on Tuesday at the conference room of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Abuja.
During the event, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, explained that the ceremony was the result of successful deliberations held between the Ministry and the Institute earlier in February.
She emphasized that the partnership aims to create new economic pathways for young Nigerians by providing them with land, digital agricultural tools, and sustainable, climate-resilient farming techniques.
“Our goal as a ministry is clear: to unlock economic opportunity for our youth by expanding their access to land, digital farming tools and climate-resilient agricultural practices in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the President,” she said.
Keshinro added that with the right skills and mentorship, the country’s youthful population could drive food security and economic prosperity.
“We believe that with the right skills and mentorship, the 70 percent of our population that is under the age of 30 will lead Nigeria towards food security and economic prosperity.”
The Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, described the partnership as one of the fastest and most practical engagements since he assumed office.
He said the initiative was aimed at strengthening youth participation in agriculture and agribusiness, while addressing key challenges such as limited access to land.
“Nigeria’s youth population remains the greatest asset in our country. When provided with the right opportunities, skills and enabling environment, young people become powerful drivers of economic growth,” Olawande said.
He also announced the launch of the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund, an initiative designed to address the lack of access to land faced by many young Nigerians interested in agriculture.
According to the minister, land resources within the National Youth Development Centres across the country will be made available to support the programme.
“This initiative represents a forward-looking strategy aimed at strengthening food security and improving agricultural production in Nigeria,” he said.
Olawande also called on development partners, state governments, financial institutions and private sector players to collaborate with the ministry and IITA to expand the initiative.
Director-General of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dr. Simeon Ehui, said the programme could become a major pathway for youth employment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
He noted that with more than 60 percent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the country possesses one of the most dynamic youth populations in the world.
“If we truly want to solve youth unemployment in Nigeria, we must make agriculture not only respectable but more profitable for young people,” Ehui said.
He explained that many young Nigerians interested in agriculture often face barriers such as limited access to land, finance, markets and modern technologies.
Ehui said the initiative would help address these challenges by repurposing 42 federal youth development centres across the country into hubs for agribusiness training and innovation.
“Our ambition is bold. Over the next two years we aim to engage six million young Nigerians, incubate hundreds of youth-led agribusiness enterprises and transform 42 youth development centres into vibrant hubs of innovation and development,” he said.
He added that through the partnership, IITA would provide technical support in agribusiness incubation, training and innovation while connecting youth enterprises to markets, financing opportunities and modern agricultural technologies.
Author
Leave a comment