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…to empower 40m youths
The Nigerian youths and agripreneurs under the auspices of the Nigeria Youths in AgriTech and Innovation Programme (NYATIP) have declared that the Forum targets $40 billion annual gross domestic product’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy with the participation of 40 million youths.
Azubike Nwokoye, food systems specialist, ActionAid Nigeria, stated this in his presentation at the National Youth Dialogue on Inclusive Food Systems, hosted by Action Aid Nigeria in partnership with the Nigerian Senate and support from GIZ in Abuja on Thursday, April 15, 2025.
According to Nwokoye “Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world with a bulging population of 2.4% sustained by a high fertility rate.”
He quoted the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, noting that Nigeria has about 53.40% unemployed youths, amounting to 50,898,286 out of its 95,315,143 youth population.
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According to Nwokoye “With NYATIP, we would be able to support 40 million, about 1,082,000 per state out of the unemployed youths to go into agriculture and each of the 40 million new agricultural jobs created by youth participation will contribute an estimate of $1000 dollars in added value to Nigerian economy per year”.
This would amount to 40 million jobs × $1000, equalling 40 billion annually in addition to economic value addition to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In his remarks, Saliu Mustapha, chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Service and Rural Development, said the parliament is seeking the Youth and Women Enterprise Equity Fund to promote youths below the age of 35.
While maintaining that youth participation in agriculture offers numerous benefits, including economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, he said Agriculture provides diverse employment opportunities, such as crop production, livestock production, supporting young entrepreneurs, governments can empower them to start businesses, create jobs, and contribute to food security.”
The Chairman charged ActionAid Nigeria to open discussions with the National Agricultural Development Fund with a view to harmonising mindsets and helping NADFund achieve its objectives.
“It will be premature at this point to consider the creation of an additional Fund for our youth inclusion when the same can be adequately taken care of by an existing Agency of Government.
“Youth participation in agriculture is crucial for addressing these challenges. With their fresh perspectives, technological aptitude, and passion for sustainability, young individuals can bring innovative solutions to the agricultural sector. Nigeria’s teeming youth population can be leveraged to achieve economic growth and improved food production,” he said.
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He added, “By promoting youth participation in agriculture, we can unlock opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, ultimately contributing to a more food-secure future for Nigeria.”
The chairman stressed that agriculture is crucial for poverty reduction and economic growth in Nigeria, and youths play a vital role in sustaining agricultural productivity.
“As a major stakeholder in national development, Nigerian youths bring valuable assets like resilience, resourcefulness, and perseverance. Their involvement in agriculture can address challenges like an aging farm population and youth unemployment, he said
Speaking for the youths, Salihu Abdulbasit, coordinator, Nigeria Youth in AgriTech and Innovation Programme, urged the need to include the youths in policy inclusion across the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He called for support for the youth, noting they are challenged by lack of access to agricultural funds, lack of quality seeds/fertilisers, insecurity, lack of infrastructures
