The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has begun a visit to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan to advance ongoing partnership discussions aimed at designating selected National Youth Development Centres as Agriculture Hubs.
Speaking on the visit, the Minister for Youth Development, Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, said the engagement is focused on expanding the Youth in Agriculture Programme across the country. “I am visiting the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan to firm up our ongoing partnership talk to designate selected National Youth Development Centres as Agriculture Hubs to expand the Youth in Agriculture Programme,” he stated.
According to the minister, the proposed hubs will function as integrated spaces for training, production, innovation, and market access. He explained that the initiative aligns with the government’s One Youth, Two Skills programme and is designed to create clear pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for young Nigerians.
Ayodele noted that agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s strongest tools for economic diversification, food security, and wealth creation. He stressed that young people must be positioned not just as beneficiaries but as drivers of innovation, productivity, and sustainability within the sector.
“By equipping them with modern agricultural skills, digital tools, climate-smart practices, and agribusiness opportunities, we are preparing them to compete locally, regionally, and globally,” the minister said.
He added that the collaboration with IITA highlights the value of partnerships between government, research institutions, and the private sector to support youth-led agriculture nationwide. The visit will strengthen implementation timelines and coordination efforts.
