By Palma Ileye
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, FMAFS, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has said that young entrepreneurs would accelerate development in the agriculture sector by driving innovation, creating economic opportunities, and enabling an environment for productivity and inclusivity.
Speaking during the World Food Forum, WFF, Nigeria Chapter Side Event with theme: “Bridging Policy and Innovation: Youth at the Forefront of Agri-Food Transformation,” held in Rome, Italy, Kyari stated that transforming a nation’s food system requires aligning national policies with innovation and empowering youth as co-architects of Nigeria’s agricultural future.
In a press release signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head, Department of Information of FMAFS, he revealed that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, agriculture has been placed at the center of national development agenda saying that food security was more than an economic priority, it is the foundation of national sovereignty and stability.
He added that through the Renewed Hope vision, the President was driving a bold effort to reinforce confidence in the country’s food systems, strengthen production, and empowering the youth, who will define the future of agricultural economy.
He stated that, “We are strengthening the link between policy and practice, ensuring that strategies are inclusive, data-driven, and shaped by those who live and work within our food systems, especially the youth driving innovation.”
He noted that this administration was moving from a top-down approach to one of co-creation, where collaboration replaces prescription and young voices help shape the policies defining shared present and collective future.
He pointed out the progress made through the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy, NATIP, as the strategic backbone of a tech-enabled, youth-driven, and commercially viable agricultural ecosystem.
He stressed that to sustain this wave of innovation, “We must ensure that young agripreneurs have access to the resources needed to scale their ideas. Financing innovation and enterprise remains the catalyst for agricultural transformation. No matter how brilliant our ideas or technologies, without accessible and affordable finance, they can not grow into impact.”
The Minister outlined several key government initiatives driving Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, including the operationalization of the National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, and the N1.5 trillion recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture, BOA, one of the largest agricultural finance commitments in the country’s history.
According to him, “These measures will expand access to affordable finance for youth and women-led agribusinesses.”
He highlighted the role of Nigerian youth like young innovators namely Samson Ogbole, Femi Adekoya, Atinuke Lebile, and Azeez Salawu played in shaping policy and practice, and pioneering projects in soilless farming, drone technology, biofortified crops, and ecosystem coordination.
He also commended Abdulsalam Umar of Matura Agro for spearheading Nigeria’s first large-scale cultivation of alfalfa grass for export.
Kyari further revealed the procurement of 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 agricultural implements, the largest mechanization drive in Nigeria’s history aimed at enhancing productivity and creating decent employment opportunities for youth in agribusiness.
“The largest mechanization initiative in Nigeria’s history. This bold intervention will expand access to modern machinery, enhance productivity, and create new opportunities for youth in machinery operation, maintenance, and agribusiness services. It is part of our deliberate effort to make agriculture a field of innovation, dignity, and decent work for the next generation,” the Minister added.
He lauded the establishment of the World Food Forum, WFF, Nigeria Chapter, stating that it was a bridge between local innovation and global priorities and that the platform will unite youth-led organizations, private sector players, research institutions, and government under a shared mission to build resilient food systems.
He pointed out that this shared observance reminds that the pursuit of food security was a universal mission, one that binds every nation, every farmer, and every young innovator saying that, “It is a day to reaffirm our collective resolve to build food systems that nourish both people and the planet.”
He appealed to partners; “Stay with us in de-risking investments, upgrading enterprises, and providing blended finance to expand youth-led agribusiness opportunities.”
He concluded with a call to collective action urging, “Let us build a food-secure, youth-powered, and innovation-driven Nigeria, where every young person with a dream finds in agriculture not a struggle but a pathway to prosperity and national pride.”
