The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), to train over six million Nigerian youths in modern agriculture and agribusiness. . 

A central feature of this initiative is the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF), which seeks to resolve the long-standing barrier of land accessibility by consolidating resources across 42 National Youth Development Centres nationwide.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, stated that the programme is a vital step in empowering Nigeria’s massive youth population to lead the country’s agricultural transformation. 

By leveraging existing ministry infrastructure, the initiative will provide participants with climate-smart farming practices, mentorship, and the necessary resources to launch viable enterprises. 

Olawande noted that the ministry’s database already reflects a high demand for these opportunities, with over six million young Nigerians expressing interest in entering the agricultural value chain.

The Director-General of IITA, Simeon Ehui, explained that the three-year programme will repurpose youth centres into innovation hubs designed to connect young entrepreneurs with investors and modern digital farming tools. 

With 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, both IITA and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development view this demographic as a major force for economic development. 

The partnership emphasises that agriculture must be seen as a profitable sector of opportunity rather than a last resort, aiming to revitalise rural communities and strengthen the national economy.

Source: Nigeria Startup News