Business
AUDA-NEPAD Disburses N600m Grant To Smallholder Farmers in 7 States
Joel Ajayi
National Coordinator of the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development ,AUDA-NEPAD, Hon. Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi, has announced that the agency will disburse N600 million to seven pilot states to support smallholder farmers across Nigeria in 2025.
This initiative aims to enhance agricultural activities, address poverty, low productivity, and resource limitations in the sector.
The pilot states include Bauchi, Cross River, Osun, Yobe, Abia, and Imo.He made this announcement during a one-day roundtable meeting of state Commissioners for Agriculture/State Coordinators with the National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer at the maiden stakeholders meeting for the Smallholder Farmers Programme yesterday in Abuja.
According to him, this is a direct grant from AUDA-NEPAD to support the efforts of smallholder farmers.
He stated: “The total amount being disbursed to the seven pilot states is N600 million, which will be shared equally among the states. States that show additional interest can provide up to N3 billion, depending on the number of smallholder farmers.
“At AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, we recognize that smallholder farmers are at the core of our nation’s agricultural sector. Their resilience drives food production, sustains rural economies, and significantly contributes to our GDP.”
However, persistent barriers such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, climate change, and market constraints continue to hinder their full potential. This initiative was created to tackle these challenges head-on, ensuring that smallholder farmers not only survive but thrive.
“Our commitment to agricultural transformation across Africa is unwavering. Through this support, the initiative is backed by a substantial grant, reinforcing the shared vision of a food-secure, economically vibrant, and resilient Nigeria.
“Let me be clear, this is not merely funding; it is an investment in our farmers and our future. Strict monitoring mechanisms will be in place to ensure that every aspect of the initiative is effectively implemented, with full accountability and transparency. The funds must translate into real, measurable impacts, increased productivity, improved livelihoods, and a stronger agricultural value chain.
“The Smallholder Farmers Initiative aims to create a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem by: providing access to finance and credit for smallholder farmers; developing rural infrastructure, including storage and irrigation facilities; promoting climate-smart agricultural sustainability for the long term; creating direct market linkages to improve farmers’ incomes; and integrating technology and digital solutions for efficient farming.
“This initiative aligns with Agenda 2063 of the African Union and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that smallholder farmers are not left behind but are empowered as key players in national development”.He also emphasized that AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria is fully committed to ensuring that the funding provided results in tangible outcomes.
“The expectations are high, and so is our resolve. Our goal is clear: to transform agriculture into a thriving, competitive, and resilient sector. Together, we can empower millions of Nigerian farmers, ensuring that this initiative creates lasting economic and social impact”.
In her opening remarks, the Assistant Director for Programme Development and Implementation at AUDA-NEPAD, Hajia Fatimah Abubakar , provided an overview of the Smallholder Farmers Programme in the selected states across Nigeria.
She explained that the pilot states were carefully selected based on agricultural potential, needs, and alignment with national and AUDA-NEPAD agricultural priorities, with a focus on food security.
She stated that the programme reflects the agency’s unwavering commitment to support the agricultural sector and empower the hardworking men and women who form its foundation the smallholder farmers.
“The Smallholder Farmers Programme is more than just a grant. It is a partnership between us, the selected state governments, and AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, and most importantly, the hardworking smallholder farmers who are the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy. By investing in them, we are investing in a more prosperous, food-secure future for Nigeria”.
Business
FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools
By Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government, in collaboration with Investonaire Academy, has unveiled a nationwide financial literacy and wealth-building programme targeting more than 100,000 young Nigerians. The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and long-term financial planning, positioning them for sustainable prosperity in a rapidly evolving economy.
Launched on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described financial literacy as a necessary survival tool for young people confronting today’s economic realities.
He noted that the initiative represents the foundation of a broader vision expected to extend beyond Nigeria to other African nations and global markets.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 corps members annually, the Minister said the programme will provide platforms, resources, and skills needed for both job creation and employability.
“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” he said.
A major highlight of the launch was the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering mentorship, training, and startup support. According to the Minister, more than 200 startups will receive empowerment through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.
He stressed the need for deeper collaboration with private organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups, noting that government alone cannot drive youth development. He further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition, innovation, and digital enterprise, saying these remain critical to reducing the desire for migration and increasing self-reliance.
Outlining the Ministry’s long-term commitments, Olawande emphasized three priorities: supporting youth innovation, equipping them with growth tools, and safeguarding millions of Nigerian youths under the Ministry’s mandate.
Speaking at the launch, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the programme was crafted to revolutionize the way Nigerian youths learn and apply financial knowledge. He highlighted the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS), which offers interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship to make financial education engaging and accessible.
Complementing the digital platform is a new 200-square-metre physical training centre in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will take place.
The curriculum covers key global asset classes — including equities, commodities, forex, and indices — ensuring participants gain a broad understanding of financial markets.
Sicre added that with Federal Government backing, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and reward outstanding participants through a $1 million funding pool to support new and existing ventures.
International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, explained that the initiative aims to bridge long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youths. While schools teach many subjects, he said, essential financial skills are often missing.
“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he noted.
Referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s definition of financial literacy, Odiba stated that implementation remains a major national challenge. He said the initiative brings together government agencies, youth groups, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.
The programme’s curriculum covers budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning — areas where many young people struggle. By offering practical training, real-world insights, and guided mentorship, the initiative aims to build a generation of financially empowered youth capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.
With this partnership, the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy share a common goal: to empower young Nigerians with the financial intelligence and digital tools needed to build wealth, grow businesses, and transform the nation’s economic future.
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