Access to Land, Mechanisation Top FG Agenda as 10 Young Farmers Get ₦1m Grants
By Sarah Kitka
The Nigeria Government has unveiled the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF), a bold and strategic initiative designed to catalyse youth participation in agriculture, unlock agribusiness opportunities, and drive sustainable economic growth.
The initiative, launched by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Abuja, seeks to remove longstanding barriers to youth engagement in agriculture,particularly access to land, while equipping young Nigerians with the tools needed to thrive across the agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described YiALTF as a game-changing intervention that will reposition agriculture as a viable and attractive enterprise for Nigerian youth.
He noted that beyond land access, the programme provides an integrated support system, including capacity building, access to finance, modern technology, mechanisation services, mentorship, business incubation, and market linkages.
“The YiALTF is not just a programme; it is a national platform for youth empowerment and economic transformation. We are creating pathways for young Nigerians to become active players and leaders in the agribusiness ecosystem,” the Minister stated.
He further disclosed that the initiative will convert the Ministry’s 42 Youth Development Centres into fully operational agribusiness hubs, train six million young Nigerians within the next three years, and support the establishment of at least 500,000 youth-led agribusiness enterprises nationwide.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasised that efficient land utilisation and youth-driven innovation remain critical to achieving food security, economic diversification, and national development.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, described YiALTF as a landmark intervention that will transform underutilised public assets into productive agribusiness platforms. She called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to ensure the programme’s success and long-term impact.
Representing the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, Barr. Gloria Ibrahim commended the initiative as a practical and forward-looking response to the challenges confronting young agripreneurs, particularly in the areas of land access and enterprise development.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reaffirmed the Scheme’s readiness to support the implementation of the initiative, while the Director-General of IITA, Dr. Simeon Ehui, stressed that the true measure of success would be reflected in the number of empowered youths and thriving agribusinesses created.
As part of the launch ceremony, ten young farmers were awarded ₦1 million each to scale up their agribusiness ventures. One of the beneficiaries, Orji Chiamaka Precious, a beekeeper, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and its partners, describing the support as timely and capable of transforming her business.
YiALTF is expected to serve as a cornerstone of the Federal Government’s broader agenda to empower youth, strengthen food systems, and position agriculture as a key driver of inclusive growth and national prosperity.
