The Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, has launched the National Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund to improve access to land for young Nigerians interested in agriculture.
The initiative, supported by FCMB, is designed to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing young agripreneurs—limited access to farmland. It also seeks to create opportunities for financing, enterprise growth, and employment across the agricultural sector.
The programme was officially unveiled in Abuja on Monday during a gathering of government officials, development partners, financial institutions, youth organisations, and key stakeholders in the agricultural industry.
According to the organisers, the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund will provide a structured framework that allows young people to access land for farming and agribusiness activities while encouraging entrepreneurship and value-chain development.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to increasing youth participation in agriculture and expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
“We want to train more than six million Nigerian youths in the coming years. We want to support at least 500,000 youth-led agribusinesses and connect young Nigerians to local and international markets,” Olawande said.
He noted that agriculture remains one of the most promising sectors for job creation and economic development.
“Agriculture has the potential to create millions of jobs, improve food production, reduce poverty, and accelerate economic growth. However, access to land remains one of the biggest barriers confronting young people today, and this initiative seeks to address that challenge,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, described the initiative as a strategic effort to strengthen youth participation in agriculture.
According to him, the programme will help remove barriers that limit access to land and create an enabling environment for youth-led agribusinesses to grow and thrive.
Representing FCMB, the Divisional Head of Agribusiness and Non-Oil Export, Kudzai Gumunyu, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting programmes that make agriculture more attractive and commercially viable for young people.
“The future of Nigerian agriculture depends on how well we structure financing and support systems around the realities of young people and the sector. Agriculture must be presented as a modern, technology-driven business offering opportunities in logistics, processing, commodity trading, mechanisation, digital platforms, and innovation,” he said.
Gumunyu noted that many young entrepreneurs struggle to secure funding because they often lack the collateral and financial structures required by traditional lenders.
He highlighted FCMB’s AgTech Aggregator Programme as one of the bank’s initiatives aimed at supporting young innovators who are developing solutions to challenges across the agricultural value chain.
According to him, building a strong support ecosystem is essential for unlocking the full potential of agriculture in Nigeria.
“Building the right ecosystem is critical. The future of Nigerian agriculture is young, climate-smart, market-driven, and innovation-enabled. To unlock its full potential, we must strengthen partnerships that improve access to finance, technical support, technology, and market opportunities,” he added.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, also expressed support for the initiative.
He said collaboration among government institutions, development agencies, and private-sector organisations would play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development and IITA commended FCMB and other stakeholders for their contributions toward youth empowerment and agricultural transformation.
The event attracted representatives from development agencies, donor organisations, state governments, financial institutions, youth networks, agribusiness groups, and members of the National Youth Service Corps.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the National Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund would help unlock opportunities for young Nigerians, strengthen food production, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
