Youth unemployment is one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, with millions of young people struggling to find meaningful work. This challenge has reached alarming levels, with a rate of around 33%. Agriculture, being the largest employer in Nigeria, provides an important avenue for tackling this issue.
The sector currently employs over 36% of the population and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s GDP. Empowering youth to engage in agriculture creates jobs, improves food security, reduces poverty, and promotes rural economic growth.
Despite agriculture’s potential, many Nigerian youths are reluctant to work in farming due to challenges such as high input costs, poor access to credit, lack of storage facilities, and low market access. Youth empowerment schemes address these barriers by offering subsidies for farm inputs, credit facilities tailored for young farmers, improved storage options, and support for accessing markets. These measures help to increase productivity and profitability, encouraging more youths to consider agriculture as a viable career.
Recognising agriculture’s potential to absorb labour and stimulate the economy, both the Federal government and private organisations have launched youth empowerment schemes to equip young Nigerians with the skills, resources, and financial support needed to thrive in the agricultural sector.
These initiatives create millions of job opportunities for young Nigerians and build a new generation of agripreneurs who view farming as a profitable and sustainable career path.
1. Empowering youth with skills and training: Agriculture today goes beyond manual farming; it’s a business that thrives on knowledge, innovation, and management. By equipping young people with practical agricultural skills, Nigeria can unlock a generation of agripreneurs who can create jobs for themselves and others.
Government and private empowerment programs are training youth in modern farming, agribusiness management, and technology adoption. These initiatives enable young Nigerians to run efficient farms, improve yields, and compete in the agricultural market. As they gain skills, they shift from job seekers to job creators, fostering sustainable growth in both rural and urban areas.
2. Promoting Technological Innovation in Agriculture: Innovation changes how young people experience farming. Projects like the Soilless Farm Lab train youths in climate-smart agriculture, hydroponics, and other tech-driven systems that improve productivity.
3. Use of Digital Platforms for Access and Growth: Digital platforms are creating new opportunities for young farmers to access markets, financing, and mentorship. Through e-commerce, mobile apps, and digital marketplaces, youths can now sell produce directly to consumers, connect with investors, and learn from agricultural experts without middlemen.
This digital inclusion empowers them to manage their businesses independently and scale faster. It also bridges the gap between rural producers and urban buyers, making agriculture more efficient and rewarding.
Nigeria has continued to roll out targeted programmes to reduce unemployment and empower young people through agriculture. These initiatives not only equip youths with modern farming skills but also open new opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance across the agricultural value chain.
One of the boldest efforts to tackle unemployment in Nigeria, the Youth Farmers Enrollment Portal is an innovative federal platform designed to create six million direct jobs in agriculture and agro-allied sectors. The initiative provides training, mentorship, and funding support to help young Nigerians start or expand agribusinesses.
It targets young people aged 18 to 35, providing agricultural training, modern farming techniques, mentorship, financial support, and resources to start or expand agricultural ventures. By making agriculture more attractive and accessible, the program promotes active youth participation and economic development nationwide.
Launched in April 2025 as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Green Money Project is a federal initiative for training and funding Nigerian youths in agribusiness.
This program seeks to enhance food security and stimulate economic growth. It specifically targets individuals aged 18 to 40 who are passionate about farming, with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices. The goal is to help them build resilient and profit-driven ventures.
Implemented under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), N-Power Agro deploys trained young Nigerians to rural communities where they provide agricultural extension services. Participants gain hands-on experience while supporting local farmers to improve productivity and adopt modern farming techniques.
The Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) is an initiative by the Nigerian federal government, introduced by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The program provides a range of opportunities, such as digital and vocational training, entrepreneurship assistance, and job fairs, to help Nigerians acquire skills that enhance their competitiveness both locally and globally. LEEP is designed to address the skills-employment gap, to create 2.5 million jobs over a span of two years.
For Olamide Alao-Akala, founder of UMèRA Farms Nigeria Limited, the solution lies in building systems that work. According to her, “The problem is not a lack of interest among Nigerian youths, but a lack of systems that work for the ordinary citizen.”
She believes accessible funding, transparent processes, and youth-friendly policies will encourage more young people to invest in agriculture, not just for personal gain, but to contribute to national development.
Nigeria’s youth empowerment programmes are proving that agriculture can be more than hard labour; it can be a gateway to innovation, wealth creation, and social change. The more young people are equipped and supported, the stronger the country’s agricultural base becomes.
Agriculture has evolved beyond being merely a traditional occupation; it is now a modern opportunity. With the right training and support, you can be part of the generation shaping Nigeria’s food and economic future.
