The Federal Government has said it is considering the establishment of a trust fund to support youth participation in agriculture, as part of efforts to address rising unemployment in Nigeria.
The initiative, known as the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF), was formally highlighted during its national launch in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, described the proposed fund as a timely and strategic intervention aimed at resolving one of the major barriers preventing young Nigerians from engaging in agriculture—access to land.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential, persistent challenges relating to land ownership structures, access, and coordination have continued to limit productivity and discourage long-term investment in the sector.
Bagudu emphasised that agriculture must be repositioned as a modern, profit-driven sector capable of creating jobs, fostering innovation, and strengthening the national economy.
He drew comparisons with global agricultural systems such as the Netherlands, stressing that success in agriculture depends not only on land availability but also on organisation, technology adoption, skills development, and productivity.
The minister also called for stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, noting that effective land administration and agricultural transformation require a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.
He highlighted the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Programme as a key national framework designed to identify land resources and economic opportunities across communities in Nigeria.
Bagudu further stressed that government funding alone would not be sufficient to drive the level of transformation required in the agricultural sector, urging increased private sector participation and investment.
He encouraged young Nigerians to explore opportunities in farming, livestock, fisheries, food processing, agritech, and broader agricultural value chains, expressing optimism that the YALTF would help position youth as key contributors to food security and economic development.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to moving beyond policy discussions into practical empowerment initiatives for young people.
He stated that the core challenge facing Nigerian youth is not lack of talent or creativity, but limited access to opportunities, funding, and institutional support.
According to him, the YALTF was developed in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places young people at the centre of national economic planning.
Olawande described agriculture as one of Nigeria’s most underutilised sectors for job creation and economic expansion, noting that modern agribusiness now spans technology, processing, packaging, marketing, exports, and full value-chain development.
He explained that the initiative was inspired by visits to youth development centres, where large areas of unused land were identified as potential agribusiness hubs if properly harnessed.
The minister added that the programme goes beyond land allocation by incorporating training, mentorship, access to technology, business development support, and market linkages for beneficiaries.
He stressed that the success of YALTF will depend on strong collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and private sector actors.
Olawande concluded that the launch of the initiative represents not just a policy announcement, but a collective commitment to empowering Nigerian youth and building sustainable pathways for economic growth through agriculture.
