…Targets 6 Million Youths, 500,000 Agribusinesses as Tinubu Administration Unveils Landmark Agriculture Initiative
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
In a major move aimed at addressing youth unemployment, boosting food production and accelerating economic growth, the Federal Government on Monday, June 1st , 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel launched the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF) in Abuja, describing it as a transformative platform to unlock opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.
The initiative, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, seeks to provide young people with access to land, training, technology, financing support and market opportunities, while transforming youth development centres across the country into thriving agricultural hubs.
Speaking at the national launch, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the programme represents a practical solution to some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
“This initiative is about creating opportunities. It is about job creation, food security and economic growth. More importantly, it is about the future of Nigerian youths,” the minister said.
According to him, with over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the country’s future depends largely on how effectively young people are empowered today.
“Nigerian youths are talented, innovative, energetic and determined.
Many are excelling in business, sports, entertainment and technology. The challenge is not a lack of talent; the challenge is access to opportunities and support,” Olawande stated.
The minister revealed that a comprehensive review of assets belonging to the Ministry of Youth Development showed that several youth development centres possess vast expanses of underutilized land capable of supporting large-scale agricultural activities.
He said the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund was conceived to unlock those resources and make them available to young entrepreneurs.
“Many youths are willing to venture into agriculture, but access to farmland remains their biggest obstacle. Issues ranging from land disputes to insecurity have discouraged participation. This initiative provides a practical solution,” he explained.
Olawande emphasized that the programme goes beyond land allocation.
“This is not just about giving land. It is about providing training, mentorship, modern farming technology, business development support, access to finance and market linkages that will enable young people to succeed.” with 6 Million youths to be trained.
The minister announced ambitious targets for the initiative, including training more than six million Nigerian youths within the next three years and supporting at least 500,000 youth-led agribusiness ventures nationwide.
“Our goal is clear. We want to transform youth development centres into active agricultural hubs. We want agribusiness to become a major pillar of Nigeria’s economic future,” he said.
He noted that the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strong emphasis on youth empowerment and economic inclusion.
According to Olawande, agriculture now extends far beyond traditional farming and encompasses technology, processing, packaging, logistics, marketing, exports and innovation across the value chain.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described the launch as a significant milestone in empowering young Nigerians and strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.
Nafiu noted that land remains one of the most critical and limited factors of production and that easier access to arable land would empower aspiring farmers and agripreneurs.
“The Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund will help remove barriers preventing young people from participating in agriculture and create pathways for youth-led entrepreneurship to thrive,” he said.
He explained that the initiative would complement the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme by enabling corps members to transform acquired agricultural skills into viable businesses.
“The proposed AgriHubs will provide practical experience, mentorship, incubation services and enterprise support needed to nurture successful agribusinesses from the ground up,” Nafiu added.
Also speaking at the launch, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, stressed that effective land management is essential to unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential.
Bagudu argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient land resources to compete globally if they are properly organized and integrated with modern technology.
“We must focus on agribusiness and mobilize as many young people as possible.
To get agribusiness right, we must get land management right. Without proper land organization, land can become a source of conflict rather than opportunity,” he said.
The minister cited examples from countries such as Netherlands and Bangladesh, which have achieved remarkable agricultural productivity despite relatively limited land resources.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government is implementing a ward-based development mapping initiative covering Nigeria’s 8,809 wards to identify economic opportunities and address land-related challenges at the grassroots level.
According to him, the administration’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms have improved access to private investment capital capable of supporting large-scale agribusiness projects.
“The financing opportunities are available. What is required now is for young people to organize themselves, develop viable ideas and take advantage of the enormous opportunities in agribusiness,” Bagudu stated.
Speaking virtually, The Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Simeon Ehui, described the initiative as a bold step toward unlocking the vast potential of Nigerian youths.
Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking the Past, Unlocking the Future,” Ehui said access to productive assets remains the foundation for entrepreneurship and economic growth.
“Land is the most fundamental asset in agriculture, yet it remains beyond the reach of many aspiring agripreneurs. This initiative directly addresses that challenge,” he said.
Ehui noted that the Land Trust Fund goes beyond land allocation by creating an ecosystem that integrates innovation, mechanization, digital solutions, finance, processing facilities and market access.
“The proposed AgriHubs will help young people move from unemployment to entrepreneurship, from subsistence to enterprise, and from vulnerability to prosperity,” he added.
He pledged IITA’s continued support in providing science-driven solutions, innovation and technical expertise to ensure the success of the programme.
Speaking to journalists, One of the beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s N1 million agribusiness grant, Orji Chiamaka Precious , Founder, Macaney Sustainable Solutions BeeKeeper, commended the government for launching the initiative.
She expressed optimism that the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund would create employment opportunities for millions of young Nigerians while encouraging greater participation in agriculture.
“This initiative will open doors for many young people who have the passion and skills but lack access to land and support. It is a major step toward reducing unemployment and strengthening food security in Nigeria,” Chiamaka said.
With support from development partners, financial institutions, agricultural research organisations and government agencies, the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund is expected to become one of Nigeria’s largest youth-focused agricultural empowerment programmes.
