Govt to scale up youth agripreneurship

The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to scaling up youth agripreneurship as a central strategy for food systems transformation and economic growth.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, made this known in Abuja at a high-level youth Agripreneurs  workshop organised by the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise- Niger Delta (Life  – ND) Project with the theme: “Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation.”

Kyari, said Nigeria stands at a moment of boundless opportunities, driven by young innovators who are transforming agrifood systems through precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital marketplaces, soilless farming and agro-processing technologies.

Despite these advancements, the minister noted that many youths still face barriers, including lack of access to land, finance, markets, processing facilities, mentorship and market-driven skills, resulting in inconsistent participation in agriculture.

Kyari said the federal government, through partnerships with IFAD and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is now focused on scaling up proven models such as the LIFE-ND project, which has demonstrated that youth-led agripreneurship can drive food security, job creation and climate-smart production.

“Our young people are ready to transform agrifood systems, create dignified livelihoods and drive inclusive economic growth in our dear nation, Nigeria,” Kyari said.

He outlined concrete priorities for national scale-up including: unlocking land and productive resources for young farmers; expanding inclusive financing and credit guarantees; strengthening business development, incubation and commercialisation services.

Others, he said are; improving market access through digital platforms, value chains and public-private partnerships; embedding climate resilience and sustainability at all levels; and adopting transparent data systems to track and measure results.

“We are not starting from scratch,” Kyari said, noting that President Bola Tinubu has repositioned agriculture as a primary driver of economic transformation. The foundation has been firmly laid for measurable and sustainable progress.

He added that the LIFE-ND project had already shown “proof of concept,” having piloted youth-led agribusiness models, expanded incubation programmes and leveraged digital tools to connect farmers to markets and finance.

The minister urged young agripreneurs to take bold steps, promising that government will create an enabling environment for their ventures to grow at scale.

He also called for stronger partnerships across government, financial institutions, private sector players, academia and farmer groups.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the gathering as a reaffirmation of government’s commitment to youth-led agricultural transformation.

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He noted that the presence of multiple ministers, including those of Regional Development, Women Affairs and Youth underscored the multidimensional nature of food systems reform.

“Our gathering today symbolises a renewed commitment to transform agriculture from subsistence into a thriving enterprise,” he said.

Ogunbiyi highlighted the ministry’s Agri-Food Investment Plan (2025), which outlines Nigeria’s pathway to climate-smart agricultural growth and rural economic expansion. He praised LIFE-ND’s incubation model, which provides young agripreneurs with mentorship, digital tools, vocational training and market integration.

In his presentation, LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, Dr Abiodun Sanni, detailed the programme’s milestones across its nine participating states, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

According to him, the project has trained 29,620 youths and women in priority value chains such as cassava, rice, aquaculture, poultry, oil palm and horticulture.

He noted that it also facilitated enterprise incubation through master farmers and agri-enterprises; increased household incomes by about 50per cent among beneficiaries; strengthened institutions and fostered digital and climate-smart innovations and ensured at least 50per cent gender inclusion.

Sanni noted key lessons, including the need to position agriculture as a business, expand access to finance, deepen value chain integration and institutionalize mentorship-based incubation.

Unveiling the scale-up strategy, he said the project aims to expand nationwide to all 36 states and the FCT.