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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Nigeria is calling on its young population to step into the fields a move aimed at tackling rising hunger and strengthening food security.
To support the push, the Federal Government, alongside key agricultural stakeholders, is launching initiatives aimed at attracting youth to farming, modern agribusiness and innovative food production.
The ultimate aim of the drive is to turn the next generation into the country’s frontline defenders against hunger and youth restiveness.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar kyari, disclosed the plan at the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project.
Kyari emphasised that the FGN/NDDC/IFAD-supported livelihood improvement initiatives for family enterprises in the Niger Delta “stand as clear evidence of the effectiveness of this approach and strategy. The next challenge is to expand it rapidly, inclusively, and sustainably.”
He urged young people to leverage their ideas, embrace calculated risks, and commit to building resilient livelihoods, noting that their energy and innovation will be key to transforming Nigeria’s agri-food systems.
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“We are here to listen to you, to specifically note your challenges, and to create an enabling environment that allows your various ventures to grow, thrive, and create impact on a significant scale.
“To ensure the success and sustainability of youth-led agripreneurship, we will re-engineer and strengthen the following support pillars: a land access and tenure assistance programme that prioritizes youth eligibility and transparent processes; an innovative fund and financing mechanism with blended finance options and simplified access for youth-led agribusinesses, including maximum timelines for decision-making; and an expanded set of business development services, including mentorship networks, virtual incubation, and market linkages, with measurable success metrics.”
The minister added that the land access and tenure assistance programme would be implemented to ensure land accessibility for youth.
He further explained that the innovative fund and financing mechanism would simplify access for youth-led agribusinesses while setting clear timelines for decision-making. He also highlighted the expanded business development services, a digital platform for youth agripreneurs to showcase products and access buyers, and a climate adaptation and risk management framework integrated into all youth-led programs, with training on sustainable farming, post-harvest handling, and value-added processes.
LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, Sani Abiodun, disclosed that the scheme had trained over 29,620 youths and women as agripreneurs across priority value chains. He also revealed that the project has promoted green practices, waste recycling, and environmental resilience in the Niger Delta. According to him, LIFE-ND has supported viable agribusiness ventures with access to rural market infrastructure, continuously strengthening the economy and reducing poverty.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Ogunbiyi, said about N31.35 billion had been injected and 122,332 metric tonnes of food supplied through the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project. He added that the project had created 23,751 new jobs, including 12,526 for women, strengthening gender inclusion and rural economic participation.
He made these remarks at the national event on scaling up youth agripreneurship for food systems transformation, held yesterday in Abuja. Ogunbiyi said the LIFE-ND Project had made landmark achievements and impacts, creating jobs, supplying food, and injecting substantial funds into the rural economy to support families, revitalize communities, and strengthen long-term economic resilience.
