By Felix Khanoba
The Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) has renewed its partnership with Heifer International Nigeria to expand access to equipment leasing for young entrepreneurs, as part of efforts to boost enterprise development, agricultural productivity, job creation and national food security.
The renewed commitment was announced during the grand finale of the fifth edition of the Agriculture, Youth and Technology (AYuTe) Nigeria Challenge organised by Heifer International Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Abuja by ELRA’s Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Adebola Brookslyn Sunday, the Authority said its Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Donald Wokoma, reaffirmed the partnership while addressing participants at the event.
Wokoma praised Heifer International Nigeria for its consistent support towards empowering young Nigerians through agriculture, entrepreneurship, innovation, skills acquisition and sustainable livelihood programmes. He described the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge as a platform that is producing a new generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs.
According to him, one of the biggest challenges facing young business owners is limited access to essential equipment and technology needed to expand their enterprises despite having innovative ideas and the skills to succeed.
He noted that equipment leasing provides a practical financing option by allowing entrepreneurs to obtain productive assets without making huge upfront payments, while repaying over time from income generated by the equipment.
“As longstanding partners, ELRA and Heifer International Nigeria remain committed to expanding access to productive assets for young entrepreneurs through innovative leasing solutions that will unlock business growth, improve productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains and create sustainable jobs,” Mr. Wokoma said.
The ELRA boss disclosed that both organisations would further strengthen their collaboration through the proposed ELRA-Heifer Youth Enterprise Leasing Initiative, which will bring together leasing companies, financial institutions, equipment manufacturers and development partners to provide affordable leasing opportunities for youth-owned businesses.
He explained that the initiative would facilitate access to tractors, irrigation systems, agro-processing machines, cold storage facilities, delivery vehicles, renewable energy solutions, ICT equipment and other productive assets required to improve business capacity and competitiveness.
Wokoma added that the collaboration would also promote financial inclusion, increase agricultural output, enhance food security and contribute to Nigeria’s broader economic development.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of Heifer International Nigeria, Dr. Lekan Tobe, said the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge was created to encourage greater youth participation in agriculture by leveraging innovation and technology to transform the country’s food systems.
He said the programme extends beyond the annual competition by offering mentorship, business development services, networking opportunities and investment connections that enable participants to build scalable agritech businesses capable of creating employment and improving livelihoods.
Also addressing participants, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting young agripreneurs through strategic investments, innovation and partnerships aimed at strengthening food security and accelerating agricultural transformation.
He encouraged young innovators to adopt emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, drone technology and precision farming, while assuring them of the government’s determination to improve access to land, finance, modern farm inputs and strategic partnerships.
At the event, winners of the 2026 AYuTe Nigeria Challenge received grants worth a combined US$40,000 to expand their innovations. Kelechi Oleka, founder of Kyoko Foods Ltd., emerged overall winner and received US$20,000, while Bello Amos-Bwala, founder of AgriGoo Trades and Commodity, claimed the second prize of US$12,000. Udokanma George, founder of Yemert Nigeria Ltd., won the third prize of US$8,000.
The grand finale also featured a university roadshow exhibition, a panel session on youth-led agritech innovation for Nigeria’s food systems transformation and the unveiling of the three Nigerian winners who will represent the country at the continental AYuTe Africa Challenge.
The AYuTe Nigeria Challenge has continued to serve as one of Africa’s leading platforms for discovering, mentoring and supporting youth-led agritech enterprises through grants, technical assistance, market access and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening food systems across the continent.
