The Federal Government has intensified efforts to address youth unemployment and strengthen food security through a renewed partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians in agriculture and agribusiness.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Maryam Keshinro, disclosed this during a meeting with a delegation from FAO Nigeria in Abuja.
Keshinro who represented the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said Nigeria’s growing youthful population remains a critical asset capable of driving national development when equipped with practical innovative and market-oriented skills.
She explained that the Federal Government is committed to empowering young people through sustainable agricultural initiatives that will not only create employment opportunities but also improve food production and strengthen the country’s economy.
According to her, agriculture and agribusiness hold enormous potential for job creation wealth generation and rural development especially at a time when Nigeria is seeking to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil revenue.
Keshinro stressed the importance of strategic partnerships with international development organisations such as FAO in providing technical support, capacity building and access to modern agricultural practices for Nigerian youths.
She noted that the collaboration would focus on equipping young people with relevant entrepreneurial and vocational skills across different agricultural value chains, including crop production, livestock farming, aquaculture, food processing and agricultural technology.
The permanent secretary further stated that empowering youths to participate actively in agriculture would help reduce unemployment curb poverty and enhance food security across the country.
She also highlighted the need to make agriculture more attractive to young Nigerians by promoting innovation, mechanisation, digital technology and improved access to finance and markets.
Speaking during the meeting officials of FAO Nigeria reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s youth development and agricultural transformation agenda through various intervention programmes and technical partnerships.
The discussions also focused on creating sustainable pathways for youth inclusion in agribusiness, improving productivity and strengthening resilience within Nigeria’s food systems.
The renewed collaboration is expected to provide greater opportunities for young Nigerians to participate meaningfully in agriculture while contributing to national food sufficiency and economic growth.
