The Federal Government has officially launched the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF), a programme aimed at tackling unemployment and bolstering national food security.
This strategic initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, aims to repurpose land across all 42 National Youth Development Centres nationwide into productive hubs for youth-led agricultural enterprises.
The program was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
This partnership is designed to bridge the gap between young Nigerians and the resources they need to thrive in the modern agricultural sector.
In a statement made available to journalists, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, highlighted that the initiative targets Nigeria’s largest demographic, noting that young people constitute over 60% of the population.
By providing access to land and professional support, the government intends to transform these citizens into the primary drivers of national economic growth and agricultural innovation.
The Minister revealed a staggering level of interest in the sector, with six million young Nigerians already identified for training.
Through the technical expertise of IITA, these participants will receive instruction in modern value-chain opportunities, climate-smart farming techniques and agribusiness incubation and digital farming tools.
Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, emphasized that this launch is a core component of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She noted that the initiative doesn’t just provide land; it creates an ecosystem where state governments, financial institutions, and private sector partners collaborate to ensure the long-term success of young agripreneurs.
Echoing this sentiment, IITA Director-General Dr. Simeon Ehui reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to turning theoretical plans into practical solutions.
He stated that the partnership would turn National Youth Development Centres into centers of excellence for enterprise creation, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to handle the challenges of sustainable food production.