The Federal Government has officially launched a new initiative to train over six million Nigerian youth in modern agriculture and agribusiness following a landmark partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, unveiled the strategic collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and IITA, describing it as a transformative step toward building a new generation of skilled young agriculturists across the country.
The programme is designed to expand access to land through selected National Youth Development Centres, which will now serve as Agriculture Hubs under the Youth in Agriculture Programme. These hubs are expected to function as integrated platforms for training, production, innovation, and market access. The initiative also aligns with the Ministry’s One Youth, Two Skills agenda, which seeks to create sustainable pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
Under the partnership, young Nigerians will receive practical and climate-smart agricultural training, with a strong focus on digital innovation in agribusiness. The goal is not just to teach farming techniques but to equip youth with modern tools, business knowledge, and technology-driven solutions that will enable them to compete locally, regionally, and globally.
Before the formal launch, the Minister had visited Ibadan, Oyo State, to engage IITA in discussions aimed at firming up the partnership and designating selected National Youth Development Centres as Agriculture Hubs. According to him, agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s most powerful tools for economic diversification, food security, and wealth creation.
He emphasized that young people must not be seen merely as beneficiaries of government programmes but as drivers of innovation, productivity, and sustainability within the agricultural value chain. By positioning youth at the centre of agricultural transformation, the initiative aims to unlock enterprise development opportunities and strengthen national prosperity.
The programme is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and brings together state governments, development partners, research institutions, and the private sector to ensure inclusive participation across all geopolitical zones.
With over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population made up of young people, the government sees agriculture as a major pathway for job creation and economic growth. Through structured training, access to land, and exposure to innovation, the initiative seeks to build a resilient agricultural ecosystem that supports youth-led enterprises.
The Federal Government maintains that the future of agriculture in Nigeria is youth-driven, and this partnership with IITA marks a significant step toward securing the country’s food future while creating millions of opportunities for young Nigerians.
