The Federal Government has unveiled the Revised National Youth Manifesto in Agriculture (2025–2030) alongside the Nigerian Youth in Agribusiness Call to Action, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to boost youth participation and leadership in the country’s agricultural sector.
The launch, held in Abuja, was declared open by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by Hajia Safina Abdullahi, Deputy Director of Planning and Policy Coordination in the Ministry.
Sen. Kyari commended the Leonard & Nkiruka Okonkwo Foundation (LANOF) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) for spearheading what he described as an inclusive and youth-centred initiative.
He also praised the creativity and commitment of young Nigerians whose contributions shaped the revised policy document.
“This is not just the presentation of a policy paper, it is the unveiling of a youth-owned blueprint for transforming Nigeria’s agriculture,” Kyari said.
“Young people are not only beneficiaries of these policies but the true architects and drivers of the country’s agricultural future.”
He assured the Ministry would integrate the Call to Action into the Revised National Gender Policy in Agriculture and its Strategic Plan of Action (2025–2030).
He added that the manifesto would be presented to the National Council on Agriculture later this year for adoption at both the federal and state levels.
Encouraging youth ownership of the initiative, Kyari further urged, “This Manifesto reflects your collective vision, bold, innovative, and forward-looking”.
“But the time has come to turn words into action. Step up to the challenge, drive this process, and build enterprises that create solutions, not just farms that seek opportunities.”
In his remarks, Leonard Okonkwo, Co-Founder of LANOF, described the Manifesto as a “people-centred roadmap” that aligns with the African Union’s Youth Agribusiness Call to Action.
He stressed the need for cross-sector collaboration, technical expertise, and sustained investment to realise its objectives.
Participants at the event also called for improved access to land, youth-friendly financing mechanisms, training opportunities, agricultural technology promotion, gender equity, and stronger institutional backing for youth leadership.
The Country Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Sophie von Knebel, applauded LANOF and partners for their collective effort, expressing optimism that the Manifesto would help reshape Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
Also speaking, Blessing Akhile, who represented ActionAid Nigeria’s National Gender Steering Committee, described the launch as “encouraging” and pledged ActionAid’s commitment to ensuring that the policy document translates into tangible impact nationwide.
Source: AgroNigeria
Credit Image: NAN
