The Federal Government has unveiled a partnership initiative aimed at equipping over six million Nigerian youths with practical agricultural skills as part of efforts to boost youth employment, food security and economic diversification.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this following a detailed programme presentation by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to the Ministry.

Olawande reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment through expanded access to land, innovation-driven opportunities and sustainable participation in agriculture and agribusiness.

The Director of Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the Minister expressed satisfaction with the design and preparedness of the proposed initiative, describing it as a strategic intervention capable of unlocking vast economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

According to Olawande, the Ministry is prioritising land accessibility for youths through the establishment and activation of National Youth Development Centres nationwide, which will serve as operational bases for agricultural training and enterprise development.

He explained that the programme adopts a collaborative model involving state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to ensure nationwide reach and maximum impact.

A major highlight of the presentation was the IITA-led training programme, now expanded to train more than six million youths in modern agricultural practices and agribusiness management.

Olawande noted that the scale-up reflects the impact of strong institutional partnerships in advancing national development objectives.

The Minister further stressed the importance of the Ministry’s comprehensive youth database in identifying qualified participants and guaranteeing fair representation across the country’s geopolitical zones.

On implementation, Olawande called for accelerated action, noting that the programme would officially commence upon the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and IITA.

He added that technical teams from both institutions would immediately begin project execution once the agreement is finalised, assuring that transparency, accountability and measurable outcomes would guide implementation.

“The Nigerian youth population is eager for practical opportunities that translate into job creation, enterprise growth and improved food security,” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places youth empowerment and food security at the centre of national development priorities.

She described the partnership with IITA as a critical step towards transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector and revealed plans to designate selected National Youth Development Centres as integrated agricultural hubs across the country.

According to her, the hubs will provide vocational and technical training focusing on climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation and improved access to agricultural markets.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of IITA Youth in Agribusiness, Aline Mugisho, highlighted Nigeria’s demographic advantage in driving agribusiness-led development.

“With over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population — approximately 125 million people — being young, agriculture remains one of the most powerful pathways for job creation and enterprise development. It is currently the second-largest employer of labour in the country,” she stated.

Stakeholders noted that the partnership marks a significant milestone in positioning Nigerian youths at the forefront of agricultural innovation, economic inclusion and sustainable national development. (Nigerian Tribune)