By Harriet Tornguvan
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting agricultural development and youth participation in agribusiness through innovative and skills-driven initiatives.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known on Monday in Abuja during the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development aimed at empowering young Nigerians in the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the event, General Nafiu described the launch of the fund as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping young people with opportunities to thrive in agriculture and contribute to national food security.
He noted that the NYSC recognises the strategic role of youths in driving agricultural development and sustaining food production across the country.
According to him, the Scheme’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme places strong emphasis on agro-allied enterprises and entrepreneurship, providing Corps Members with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to explore emerging opportunities in agribusiness.
Nafiu said the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund would create pathways for Corps Members to actively engage in agricultural value chains and contribute to the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“This initiative will provide our Corps Members with practical experience, mentorship, and access to opportunities within the agricultural value chain. It will also help nurture a new generation of agripreneurs who are ready to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape,” he said.
The NYSC Director-General commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and other development partners for their dedication to youth empowerment and agricultural transformation.
He also called for sustained public support to harness the creativity, innovation, and resilience of Nigerian youths in securing the nation’s future, while pledging the Scheme’s full support for the successful implementation of the initiative.
In his remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the programme was designed to create employment opportunities for young Nigerians across the agricultural value chain.
Olawande disclosed that the ministry, in collaboration with development partners and other stakeholders, remained committed to expanding economic and employment opportunities for youths nationwide.
He explained that the Agribusiness Land Trust Fund is a national initiative intended to mobilise and unite young Nigerians for active participation in agricultural production and agribusiness development.
The minister stressed that the success of the programme would depend on strong collaboration among state governments, financial institutions, development partners, and private sector players.
“This is a call to action, a call to partnership, and a call to invest in Nigerian youths. I invite all stakeholders to support this vision,” Olawande said.
The event also featured the recognition and celebration of outstanding young agripreneurs for their contributions to agricultural development and innovation in Nigeria.
