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FG, IITA Drive Youth Agribusiness Initiative to Train Six Million Nigerians
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, has partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to launch a major youth agribusiness initiative aimed at training over six million young Nigerians and transforming 42 National Youth Development Centres into hubs of innovation and enterprise development.
The initiative was unveiled during the official media launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF) and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and IITA.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday in Abuja the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the programme is designed to unlock land resources within the 42 National Youth Development Centres across the country to expand youth participation in agriculture and create sustainable economic opportunities.
He noted that Nigeria’s youthful population represents a major national asset, stressing that more than 60 percent of the country’s population are young people who, if properly empowered, can drive economic growth, innovation and agricultural transformation.
According to the Minister, the initiative will equip young Nigerians with modern agricultural knowledge, exposure to agribusiness value chains and climate-smart farming practices, while leveraging IITA’s expertise in training, incubation and agribusiness innovation.
Olawande also highlighted the collaborative framework behind the programme, explaining that it brings together state governments, development partners, financial institutions and private sector stakeholders to support youth participation in agriculture.
He further disclosed that IITA is ready to begin the training of over six million young Nigerians who have already expressed interest in agriculture, creating a strong pipeline of future agripreneurs across the country.
“Today’s launch represents a forward-looking strategy to strengthen food security, boost agricultural productivity and empower young people as key drivers of national development,” the Minister said.
He called on partners and stakeholders to work closely with the Ministry and IITA to expand the initiative and translate commitments into real opportunities for Nigerian youth.
In his remarks, the Director-General of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Simeon Ehui, described the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund and the signing of the MoU as a significant step toward expanding opportunities for young Nigerians in agriculture.
Ehui said the initiative builds on earlier engagements between IITA and the Ministry and reflects a shared commitment to move from dialogue to practical solutions for youth employment.
He stressed that with over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, empowering young people through agribusiness is critical to achieving sustainable economic growth and strengthening national food security.
Ehui added that IITA will provide technical support, training and innovation to transform the National Youth Development Centres into vibrant hubs for agribusiness skills development and enterprise creation.
He noted that Nigeria remains a strategic country for IITA, with its headquarters located in Ibadan, reflecting the institute’s long-standing commitment to supporting the country’s agricultural transformation.
According to him, over the next three years, the initiative aims to train six million young Nigerians, incubate hundreds of thousands of youth-led agribusiness enterprises and convert the 42 youth development centres into centres of innovation and enterprise development.
Beyond the numbers, Ehui said the real impact of the programme lies in its potential to catalyse economic transformation by empowering young people to become agribusiness entrepreneurs.
“By empowering young people to venture into agribusiness, we are not only addressing youth unemployment, but also strengthening food security, revitalising rural communities and building a more resilient agricultural economy,” he said.
He added that the success of the initiative will depend on strong collaboration among government institutions, research organisations, development partners, financial institutions, the private sector and the young people themselves.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, described the initiative as a significant milestone in empowering Nigerian youth through agriculture.
She noted that the media launch of the programme and the signing of the MoU demonstrate a strong commitment by both institutions to tackling youth unemployment while strengthening national food security.
Keshinro explained that the initiative aims to expand youth access to land, digital farming tools and climate-resilient agricultural practices, while providing training and support for young agripreneurs.
According to her, the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the Ministry’s commitment to delivering measurable results and inclusive economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
News
FG Targets 50,000 Youths for Digital Jobs, Deepens Partnerships for Nationwide Empowerment Drive
Joel Ajayi
Federal Government has intensified efforts to empower young Nigerians through strategic partnerships, digital skills development, and inclusive programmes aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities nationwide.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, made this known during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he outlined a renewed policy direction focused on measurable impact, transparency, and large-scale youth engagement.
At the core of this effort, he explained, is a landmark partnership with the Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, targeting the training of 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills.
The Minister noted that the initiative is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within the first six months of implementation.
Comrade Olawande also highlighted the Ministry’s sector-specific collaborations, including its partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), aimed at boosting youth participation in agriculture. He added that this is being complemented by expanded programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy and other key youth empowerment initiatives.
He further disclosed that the government is scaling up internship, gig economy, and startup support programmes to reach a wider range of beneficiaries across the country, while also intensifying efforts to promote digital literacy through The Digital School (TDS) initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
To enhance transparency and ensure merit-based access to opportunities, the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform, “Nigerian New Tech.” He added that ongoing reforms in youth health, financial inclusion, and social protection are also broadening opportunities for young Nigerians.
During the interview, the Honourable Minister said:“We are moving away from fragmented and tokenistic approaches to youth development. Our focus is to build sustainable systems that empower young Nigerians at scale and with real impact.”
“Through our partnership with The Digital School and the UAE Government, we are not just training youths; we are preparing them for global opportunities, whether they choose to work remotely or internationally.”
“For too long, many young Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, have been excluded from structured opportunities. This administration is committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind.”
“Our role as government is to create an enabling environment where young people can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
“Transparency and merit are at the core of all our programmes. Access to opportunities should not depend on who you know, but on your capacity and readiness to grow.”
The Honourable Minister reaffirmed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, assuring that the Ministry will continue to deepen partnerships, expand programmes, and implement sustainable frameworks for the benefit of present and future generations.
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