Federal Government and IITA Launch Landmark Land Trust Fund to Empower Nigerian Youths Through Agribusiness
The Federal Government of Nigeria has partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to establish a Land Trust Fund for Youth Agribusiness, a landmark initiative aimed at increasing youth participation in agriculture, promoting agribusiness development, and enhancing national food security.
The initiative was officially launched in Abuja, where the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described it as a game-changing intervention designed to reposition agriculture as a modern, youth-driven, and innovation-led sector.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
The Land Trust Fund is expected to:
- Transform 42 Youth Development Centres across the country into fully functional agribusiness hubs.
- Train and empower 6 million Nigerian youths within the next three years.
- Support the establishment and formalization of 500,000 youth-led agribusiness enterprises.
- Improve access to land, financing, technology, mechanization, and market opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
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Tackling Barriers to Youth Participation in Agriculture
Speaking at the launch, Olawande emphasized that limited access to land remains one of the greatest challenges preventing young Nigerians from actively engaging in agriculture.
He noted that agriculture has evolved beyond traditional farming and is now a sector powered by technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and value-chain development. According to him, the initiative will create opportunities for young people to become:
- Agribusiness entrepreneurs
- Agricultural processors and exporters
- Service providers and innovators
- Leaders across various agricultural value chains
Economic Impact and Growth Potential
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, highlighted the economic significance of the initiative, noting that improved land management and greater youth involvement in agriculture could substantially increase Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and export capacity.
He cited countries such as the Netherlands, which have achieved remarkable agricultural output despite limited land resources, stressing that Nigeria possesses even greater potential if its resources are effectively utilized.
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IITA’s Role in the Programme
The Director-General of IITA, Simeon Ehui, explained that the Agribusiness Land Trust Fund is specifically designed to address one of the most pressing challenges facing young farmers—access to productive land.
According to him, the initiative will connect available land resources with structured youth agribusiness programmes, creating a sustainable pathway for young Nigerians to participate meaningfully in the agricultural sector while contributing to economic growth and food security.
