The Federal Government has trained and empowered its retired officers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on entrepreneurship skills development and agro-allied enterprises to promote agribusiness and sustainable livelihoods.
Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, announced this at the 5th Edition of the Entrepreneurship Skills Development on Agro-Allied Enterprises held in Abuja.
The training and empowerment programme was designed for officers who retired from the ministry in 2024. Ogunbiyi congratulated the retirees on the successful completion of their years of dedicated service to the ministry and the nation.
“The training programme is both a recognition and celebration of your service and investment in your continued productivity and relevance beyond public service,” he said.
He explained that the event aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021–2025, which provides a clear policy direction on enhancing staff welfare, capacity development, and post-service support.
“One of its key pillars emphasises improving the value proposition of civil servants by ensuring that officers are adequately prepared for retirement and equipped with sustainable livelihood skills,” he added.
Ogunbiyi noted that agriculture offers boundless opportunities with the growing demand for food and agricultural products, encouraging retirees to take advantage of the agricultural value chain.
“These enterprises are not only profitable but also capable of creating jobs and supporting livelihood within our communities,” he stated.
He urged the retirees to view agribusiness as a path to financial independence and a way to continue contributing to national development.
“By engaging in agribusiness, our retirees can continue to contribute meaningfully to national development, while securing sustainable income and financial independence,” he said.
Ogunbiyi added that through the initiative, the ministry aims to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare and empowerment of its workforce both during and after active service.
“We want our staff to see agriculture as not only a responsibility of government but also a viable business opportunity that aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda for food security, economic diversification and poverty reduction,” he said.
He noted that the 5th edition of the programme focused on viable enterprises in key areas such as poultry, fishery, vegetable, and potato farming and processing, describing it as strategic and relevant.
Earlier, Mr Udo Effik, Director of Reform Coordination, Service Improvement and Innovation, described the initiative as timely and impactful.
He said the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative, aimed at ensuring food sovereignty, employment generation, wealth creation, and inclusivity.
Starter kits in poultry, fishery, vegetable, and potato farming were presented to the retirees at the event.
