The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up youth agripreneurship as a cornerstone for transforming food systems and driving economic growth.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement in Abuja at a high-level Youth Agripreneurs Workshop organised by the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE–ND) Project, themed: “Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation.”

Kyari noted that Nigeria is at a moment of immense opportunity, powered by young innovators leveraging precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital marketplaces, soilless farming, and agro-processing technologies. However, he acknowledged persistent barriers for youth, including limited access to land, finance, markets, processing facilities, mentorship, and market-driven skills, which hinder consistent participation in agriculture.

He highlighted that the government, through partnerships with IFAD and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is focused on scaling proven models like the LIFE–ND project. The initiative 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 nation,” Kyari said.

The minister outlined key 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.
• Improving market access through digital platforms, value chains, and public-private partnerships.
• Embedding climate resilience and sustainability at all levels.
• Adopting transparent data systems to track and measure outcomes.

Kyari emphasised that Nigeria is building on an established foundation, noting that President Bola Tinubu has positioned agriculture as a primary driver of economic transformation. He highlighted LIFE–ND’s proof of concept, which has piloted youth-led agribusiness models, expanded incubation programmes, and leveraged digital tools to connect farmers to markets and finance.

He also urged young agripreneurs to take bold steps, promising that government will continue to create an enabling environment for scaling their ventures.

Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, described the workshop as a reaffirmation of government’s commitment to youth-led agricultural transformation. He noted the participation of multiple ministers, reflecting the multidimensional nature of food systems reform, and highlighted the Agri-Food Investment Plan (2025) as a roadmap for climate-smart agricultural growth and rural economic expansion.

During the workshop, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator of LIFE–ND, detailed the programme’s achievements across its nine participating states—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers. The project has:

• Trained 29,620 youths and women in priority value chains including cassava, rice, aquaculture, poultry, oil palm, and horticulture.
• Facilitated enterprise incubation through master farmers and agri-enterprises.
• Increased household incomes by about 50% among beneficiaries.
• Strengthened institutions, fostered digital and climate-smart innovations, and ensured at least 50% gender inclusion.

Sanni highlighted lessons learned, such as the importance of positioning agriculture as a business, expanding access to finance, deepening value chain integration, and institutionalising mentorship-based incubation.

He revealed that the LIFE–ND scale-up strategy aims to expand nationwide to all 36 states and the FCT, further empowering Nigerian youth to drive agribusiness-led growth and food system transformation.