The Federal Government has launched the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF) initiative to open up land within 42 National Youth Development Centres across the country for young Nigerians interested in agribusiness.
The programme, led by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is designed to provide young people with access to land, practical training, and technical support to build sustainable agricultural businesses and expand opportunities across the sector.
The initiative was unveiled during the official media launch of YALTF and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministry and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), which will support training, incubation, and agribusiness innovation under the programme.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative aims to remove key barriers preventing young Nigerians from participating fully in agriculture.
“The programme is designed to provide young Nigerians with access to land and the necessary support to succeed in agribusiness,” Olawande said.
He noted that Nigeria’s youthful population represents a major opportunity for economic growth if properly empowered with skills and resources.
“Youth make up over 60 percent of our population. With the right opportunities, skills, and support, they can drive economic growth, innovation, and agricultural transformation,” he said.
According to the minister, participants in the programme will be exposed to modern agricultural practices, climate-smart farming methods, and opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
He added that the collaboration with IITA will ensure that young farmers benefit from global expertise in agricultural research, innovation, and enterprise development.
Olawande also revealed that the institute is prepared to begin training more than six million young Nigerians who have already shown interest in agriculture.
“Today’s launch represents a forward-looking strategy to strengthen food security, boost agricultural productivity, and empower young people as key drivers of national development,” he stated.
The minister further called on development partners, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders to collaborate with the ministry and IITA to expand the initiative and support youth participation in agriculture.
