By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has launched the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF), a new initiative aimed at expanding youth participation in agriculture by improving access to land, financing, technology and other critical resources.
At the launch ceremony in Abuja on Monday, 10 young farmers received grants of ₦1 million each to scale up their agribusiness ventures.
The programme, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), is designed to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing young farmers — access to land — while creating opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as a transformative platform that would empower young Nigerians and make agriculture more attractive as a business.
According to him, the programme goes beyond land allocation by providing beneficiaries with training, access to finance, mechanisation services, modern technology, mentorship, business incubation and market opportunities.
“The YiALTF is not just a programme; it is a national platform for youth empowerment and economic transformation. We are creating pathways for young Nigerians to become active players and leaders in the agribusiness ecosystem,” Olawande said.
The minister disclosed that the government plans to convert 42 Youth Development Centres across the country into agribusiness hubs.
He added that the initiative aims to train six million young Nigerians within the next three years and support the establishment of at least 500,000 youth-led agribusiness enterprises nationwide.
Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said youth-driven innovation and effective land utilisation were essential for achieving food security, economic diversification and sustainable national development.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, described the scheme as a landmark intervention capable of transforming underutilised public assets into productive agricultural enterprises.
She called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners and the private sector to ensure the programme delivers lasting benefits.
Representing Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim commended the initiative, describing it as a practical response to the challenges confronting young agripreneurs, particularly in accessing land and growing their businesses.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, pledged the scheme’s support for the implementation of the programme, while IITA Director-General, Dr. Simeon Ehui, said the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by the number of young people empowered and sustainable agribusinesses created.
One of the beneficiaries, beekeeper Orji Chiamaka Precious, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and its partners, saying the grant would significantly expand her business operations.
The Federal Government said the YiALTF forms part of its broader strategy to empower young people, strengthen food systems and position agriculture as a major driver of inclusive economic growth and national prosperity.
