By Michael OChe
The Leventis Foundation Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has announced a new drive to empower young Nigerians with innovative tools and knowledge to access agricultural finance and build resilient agribusinesses.
Speaking at a pre-summit press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of Leventis Foundation Nigeria, Hope Usieta, said the initiative will take center stage at the 2025 Agricultural Youth Summit, scheduled for November 6, 2025, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Themed “Building Youth and Agripreneurs’ Resilience for Agribusiness through Targeted Upskilling and Innovative Agri-Finance,” the summit aims to provide young Nigerians with practical skills, business insights, and access to funding and mentorship that can help them start or expand their agribusiness ventures.
According to Usieta, the one-day event will convene young agripreneurs, policymakers, development partners, financiers, and agricultural experts from across Nigeria to explore pathways for sustainable youth participation in agriculture.
He explained that the theme for this year’s summit is deliberate given the challenges faced by numerous Agripreneurs particularly youth-led agribusinesses in establishing thriving agribusinesses and the need to proffer solutions.
“The summit and its theme underscore our collective resolve to strengthen youth participation, innovation, and resilience in the country’s agricultural sector,” he said
He also announced that in partnership with the NYSC, the Foundation will award up to ₦2 million in grants to outstanding young agribusiness owners who pitch viable ideas during the summit.
He said, “As many of us know, the global agricultural system is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by social and economic pressures and climate change. In this context, Nigeria’s young people represent both the greatest opportunity and the most important resource for building a sustainable agricultural future.
“At Leventis Foundation Nigeria, we have remained steadfast in our mission to train, empower, and mentor young Nigerians to become agripreneurs who can create jobs, boost productivity, and contribute to national food security. The Agricultural Youth Summit builds on that commitment by providing a dynamic platform for learning, collaboration, and enterprise development.”
He charged young Nigeria to embrace Agribusiness, noting that it holds promise.
“With the right training, technology, and mindset, agriculture can be your gateway to prosperity and impact. The Leventis Foundation Nigeria will continue to stand with you, invest in you, and champion your ideas as we build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural sector,” he said.
Our shared vision is simple: to make agribusiness a viable, innovative, and rewarding career path for Nigeria’s young people. Through strategic partnerships and consistent investment in youth capacity, we can transform the sector into a major driver of national prosperity.
In his remarks, Mr. Kehinde Aremu, Director of Skills Acquisition & Entrepreneurship Department (SAED), NYSC, commended the Foundation for partnering the Corps.
He said, “At NYSC, we think that empowering young Nigerians towards achieving food security should revolve around young Nigerians like Corps members so that the young people can begin to see agro business as pathways to success in life. We are grateful for partnership with Leventis in training Nigerians to recognize agribusiness as a promising and sustainable career option.”
He explained that one of the challenges young Nigeians face in the agricultural sector is financing, but expressed optimism that the summit would explore innovative solutions to help Corps members access agri-finance and unlock opportunities in the sector.
