The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has said that scaling up youth agripreneurship is inevitable in Nigeria’s drive to transform its agrifood systems, stressing that innovation, technology, funding support and entrepreneurship are critical to food security, economic growth and a resilient agricultural ecosystem.
Kyari made this known at the High-Level Event on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation through the FGN/NDDC/IFAD Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger Delta, LIFE-ND, Project, held in Abuja on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
He said young agripreneurs, driven by creativity and determination, are already leading change across the agrifood value chain, from precision agriculture and AI-powered farm tools to soilless farming, financing and payment platforms, digital marketplaces and agro-processing.
According to the minister, “they are leading with innovation and a shared commitment to sustainable development and are ready to transform agrifood systems, create dignified livelihoods and drive inclusive economic growth in our dear Nation, Nigeria.”
Kyari said the Federal Government has shown that youth-focused agripreneurship works when policy direction is clear and partnerships are strong. “Through strategic investments and strengthened partnerships with civil society, the private sector and development partners, we have already demonstrated proof of concept,” he stated.
He added that, “we have piloted youth-led agripreneurship models, expanded agro-processing and agribusiness incubation and leveraged digital tools to connect farmers to markets and finance, showing what is achievable when policy aligns with purpose.”
The minister outlined measures to scale up youth agripreneurship nationwide, including unlocking land for young farmers, expanding access to inclusive finance and credit guarantees, accelerating business support through mentorship, and strengthening market systems using digital platforms.
He further emphasized the need to reinforce support pillars, including a land access and tenure assistance programme prioritising youth eligibility and transparency, and an innovative financing mechanism with blended finance options, simplified access for youth-led agribusinesses, and clear timelines for decisions.
Other pillars include expanded business development services such as mentorship networks, virtual incubation and market linkages, and a digital platform enabling youth agripreneurs to showcase products, reach buyers and access real-time market intelligence.
Kyari also stressed the importance of “a practical and proactive climate adaptation and risk management framework integrated into all youth-led programmes, with training on sustainable farming, post-harvest handling and value-added processes, and a robust monitoring, evaluation and learning system that tracks progress by age, gender, region and value chain, and shares lessons learned publicly.”
He noted that “the FGN/NDDC/IFAD assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta is a testament and strong evidence that showcases this concept and strategy.”
The minister called on all stakeholders to support the effort, urging “government ministries and agencies, financial institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, farmers’ organisations and, most importantly, young agripreneurs to join hands.”
He appealed for alignment of interests, saying, “let us align our incentives so that risk-taking is rewarded and success is shared. Let us build ecosystems where collaboration eclipses competition and where every young agripreneur has a fair chance to contribute to our national prosperity.”
Kyari thanked development partners and collaborators, stating, “your trust and collaboration give us confidence that scaling-up youth agripreneurship is not only possible but inevitable.”
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the objective of the event aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of repositioning agriculture as a viable, wealth-creating and competitive sector capable of reducing unemployment, deepening value addition and contributing to national prosperity.
Ogunbiyi said, “we envision an agricultural landscape where young agripreneurs emerge not merely as participants, but as innovators, employers and industry leaders across processing, logistics, technology and value chain development.”
He described LIFE-ND as unique because of its incubation model, which nurtures young agripreneurs through skills development and hands-on vocational training, structured mentorship by established agribusinesses, access to digital tools and modern technologies, market linkages and value chain integration.
During his vote of thanks, the National Project Coordinator, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger Delta, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, said the LIFE-ND Project has shown that “with the right model, Nigeria can convert its youthful population from job seekers to agripreneurial wealth creators capable of transforming the nation’s food system.”
Sanni added that “with sustained commitment, expanded partnerships and the scaling strategies presented, LIFE-ND will evolve into a national model for agricultural prosperity, food security and economic resilience.”
He revealed that through the LIFE-ND Project, over 23,751 direct jobs have been created within rural communities, while household incomes increased by an average of 50 percent among beneficiaries, contributing to poverty reduction and stronger community resilience.
