By Gabriel Ameh
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Nigerians through agriculture as part of efforts to tackle unemployment, strengthen food security, and drive economic growth.
The commitment was announced during the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF) in Abuja an initiative introduced by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to encourage more youth participation in agriculture and agribusiness.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described the fund as a major step toward positioning Nigerian youths at the center of the country’s agricultural transformation.
According to him, the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s growing focus on agriculture as a tool for economic development and sustainable job creation.
Nafiu explained that the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme already provides corps members with training in agro-allied businesses and other entrepreneurial skills.
He added that the newly launched agribusiness fund would further support young people with mentorship, practical experience, and access to resources needed to succeed in the agricultural sector.
“This initiative will help raise a new generation of agripreneurs capable of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector while creating sustainable livelihoods,” he said.The NYSC boss also commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and other development partners for supporting youth-focused agricultural programmes across the country.
He assured stakeholders of the NYSC’s readiness to support the successful implementation of the initiative and urged continued investment in young Nigerians.Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the Agribusiness Land Trust Fund was designed to create employment opportunities and increase youth involvement in agricultural production and agribusiness development.
He stressed that partnerships involving state governments, financial institutions, development partners, and private sector players would be crucial to achieving the programme’s objectives.
The event also featured the recognition of outstanding young agripreneurs whose innovations are helping to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and inspire more youths to embrace agribusiness opportunities.
