|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
….To Empower 40 Million Youths Across Nigeria
The Nigerian Youth in AgriTech and Innovation Programme (NYATIP) has announced plans to contribute $40 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy by engaging 40 million young people in the agricultural value chain.
Azubike Nwokoye, a food systems specialist with ActionAid Nigeria, revealed this during a presentation at the National Youth Dialogue on Inclusive Food Systems. The event, held in Abuja on Thursday, May 15, 2025, was organised by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigerian Senate and supported by GIZ.
“Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, growing at a rate of 2.4% annually due to a persistently high fertility rate,” Nwokoye said, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
According to the NBS, 53.4% of Nigeria’s youth population—about 50.9 million of 95.3 million—are currently unemployed.
“With NYATIP, we aim to support 40 million unemployed youths, or about 1,082,000 per state, into agricultural ventures. If each of these new jobs contributes just $1,000 in value annually, that’s a $40 billion injection into the economy,” Nwokoye explained.
He emphasised that youth-led agricultural transformation could bridge income inequality, reduce unemployment, and enhance food security.
Also speaking at the dialogue, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production, Services, and Rural Development, reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to youth inclusion in agriculture. He highlighted a proposal for the Youth and Women Enterprise Equity Fund, which would target entrepreneurs under the age of 35.
Agriculture offers diverse job opportunities—from crop and livestock production to agri-entrepreneurship. By supporting young people, the government can empower them to start businesses, generate employment, and ensure food security,” Mustapha said.
He urged ActionAid Nigeria to collaborate with the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFund) to align strategies for achieving shared objectives.
“It would be premature to create a new fund for youth inclusion when NADFund can adequately meet those needs,” he noted.
Mustapha also emphasised the importance of youth participation in transforming agriculture through innovation, technology, and fresh ideas.
“Young Nigerians bring resilience, creativity, and energy. Their involvement can counter the aging farmer population and boost productivity,” he added.
Representing youth voices, Salihu Abdulbasit, coordinator of NYATIP, called for more inclusive policies that integrate young people into the operations of ministries, departments, and agencies.
He also highlighted the challenges young agripreneurs face, including limited access to funding, quality inputs like seeds and fertilisers, insecurity, and lack of infrastructure.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the agricultural and development sectors, all advocating for a more inclusive and youth-driven agricultural ecosystem in Nigeria.
