Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering young agripreneurs as a central force in transforming the nation’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the World Food Forum (WFF) Nigeria Chapter Side Event in Rome, themed “Bridging Policy and Innovation: Youth at the Forefront of Agri-Food Transformation,” Kyari said the energy, creativity, and innovation of young Nigerians will define the future of agriculture and food security in the country.
“Young people are not just the future of agriculture; they are the present. Their ideas, innovations, and entrepreneurial drive are key to building a resilient, technology-driven food system for Nigeria,” the minister said.
Kyari explained that the government is aligning its agricultural policies with innovation, youth empowerment, and private-sector partnerships to accelerate growth in the sector. He noted that the ongoing reforms are designed to create a modern, inclusive, and commercially viable agricultural economy.
Among the reforms highlighted were the operationalization of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) with ₦1.5 trillion, aimed at improving access to affordable credit for farmers and agripreneurs.
The minister also announced the government’s plan to procure 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 agricultural implements, a move expected to boost mechanisation, productivity, and job creation, particularly for young people and women.
Kyari emphasised that youth-led and women-led agribusinesses will receive priority support through targeted financing, capacity building, and access to innovation hubs and value chains.
He, however, cautioned that while funding is important, proper implementation and mindset change are equally critical to achieving sustainable transformation.
“We must change the narrative of agriculture from a tool of survival to a business of prosperity. Our youth must see agriculture as a sector of dignity, innovation, and decent work,” he stated.
Experts at the forum agreed that youth participation and innovation are crucial to unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential, improving food security, and reducing the nation’s dependence on imports.
The event brought together policymakers, agripreneurs, researchers, and development partners to discuss how innovation and inclusive financing can drive Africa’s agricultural growth through youth participation.
With agriculture contributing over 25 percent to Nigeria’s GDP and employing millions, the government’s renewed focus on young agripreneurs could reshape the nation’s food landscape from subsistence farming to a competitive, tech-enabled agribusiness ecosystem.
