FG, IITA Launch Ambitious Plan to Train 6 Million Youths in Agriculture

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious nationwide programme to train over six million Nigerian youths in agriculture and agribusiness, marking one of the largest youth-focused agricultural empowerment initiatives in recent years.

The initiative, announced by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, follows a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Speaking after a detailed presentation by IITA, Olawande described the programme as a transformative intervention designed to unlock large-scale economic opportunities for young Nigerians through land access, innovation, and structured agribusiness training.

According to the Minister, the Ministry is activating National Youth Development Centres across the country to serve as operational hubs for agricultural training and enterprise development. The centres will provide young people with access to land, vocational skills, and modern agricultural techniques to ensure sustainable participation in the sector.

He emphasized that the training initiative has now been scaled up to reach over six million youths nationwide — a significant expansion from earlier projections — underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment and strengthening food security.

Olawande stated that full implementation will commence immediately after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and IITA, with technical teams from both institutions set to begin project execution without delay.

“We are focused on delivery,” the Minister said, stressing that transparency, accountability, and measurable impact will guide the rollout of the programme.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes youth empowerment, job creation, and food security as pillars of national development.

She revealed plans to designate selected National Youth Development Centres as integrated agricultural hubs, with a strong focus on climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation, and improved market access.

In her remarks, the CEO of IITA Youth in Agribusiness, Aline Mugisho, highlighted Nigeria’s demographic strength, noting that with over 60 percent of the population — approximately 125 million people — being young, agriculture remains one of the most viable sectors for employment generation. She added that agriculture is currently the second-largest employer of labour in the country.

Analysts say the partnership signals a bold move by the Federal Government to reposition agriculture as a central driver of youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and sustainable national growth.

If successfully implemented, the programme could significantly reduce youth unemployment while boosting agricultural productivity and national food security.