The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has said youth-led agribusiness will play a central role in achieving Nigeria’s food and nutrition security.
Kyari made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a United Nations delegation led by the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Dr. Felipe Paullier, in Abuja.
He stressed that increased participation of young people in agriculture would accelerate growth across the sector, boost production, and revitalize agribusiness.
According to the minister, “active participation of youth in agriculture would fast-track development in the sector, increase production, and revitalize agribusiness as well as achieve food and nutrition security.”
Kyari noted that the Federal Government is deliberately prioritizing youth within the agricultural ecosystem through policies focused on financial inclusion, economic opportunities, and enabling environments.
He highlighted key initiatives aimed at transforming the sector, including the operationalisation of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the N1.5 trillion recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).
“These measures will expand access to affordable finance for youth-led agribusinesses,” he said.
The minister added that targeted programmes such as mechanisation, improved access to finance, digital platforms, and extension services are designed to empower a new generation of farmers.
Kyari also pointed to the contributions of young Nigerian innovators, including Samson Ogbole, Femi Adekoya, Atinuke Lebile, and Azeez Salawu, noting their roles in advancing areas such as soilless farming, drone technology, biofortified crops, and agricultural ecosystem coordination.
In his remarks, Paullier said the UN Youth Office was established by the General Assembly to strengthen advocacy and engagement on youth-related issues across member states.
He added that the office would help “foster increase in access to resources, land, technology, information and boost youth participation in policy dialogue.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, disclosed that the government has embarked on the procurement of 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 agricultural implements.
He described the initiative as “the largest mechanization drive in Nigeria’s history,” aimed at improving productivity and creating employment opportunities for young people in agribusiness.
“This bold intervention will expand access to modern machinery, enhance productivity, and create new opportunities for youth in machinery operation, maintenance, and agribusiness services,” Ogunbiyi said.
He added that the effort is part of a broader plan to make agriculture “a field of innovation, dignity, and decent work for the next generation.”
In a goodwill message, agripreneur Tobi Jeremiah Olanrewaju commended the Federal Government for providing financial support through NADF and distributing free agricultural inputs and implements to young farmers.
