FG Launches Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund, Awards ₦10m Grants to Young Farmers
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting youth participation in agriculture, improving access to land, and driving agribusiness-led economic growth across the country.
The programme, launched by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Abuja, is designed to address longstanding challenges limiting youth involvement in agriculture, particularly access to land, while providing comprehensive support for young agripreneurs.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as a transformative intervention that would make agriculture a more attractive and profitable venture for Nigerian youth.
According to the minister, YiALTF will offer an integrated support framework that includes capacity development, access to finance, modern agricultural technology, mechanisation services, mentorship, business incubation, and market opportunities.
He stated that the initiative goes beyond land allocation and is designed to create a new generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs capable of driving food production and economic development.
Olawande also disclosed that the ministry plans to transform its 42 Youth Development Centres into agribusiness hubs, train six million young Nigerians over the next three years, and facilitate the establishment of at least 500,000 youth-led agribusiness enterprises nationwide.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, stressed the importance of efficient land utilisation and youth-driven innovation in achieving food security, economic diversification, and sustainable national development.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, described YiALTF as a strategic intervention that would transform underutilised public assets into productive agricultural enterprises. She called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, and the private sector to ensure the programme’s long-term success.
Representing the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim commended the initiative, describing it as a practical response to the challenges facing young agripreneurs, particularly in accessing land and developing viable agricultural enterprises.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, pledged the scheme’s support for the implementation of the programme, while the Director-General of IITA, Simeon Ehui, said the initiative’s success would be measured by the number of empowered youths and sustainable agribusinesses it creates.
As part of the launch ceremony, 10 young farmers received grants of ₦1 million each to expand their agribusiness ventures. One of the beneficiaries, Orji Chiamaka Precious, expressed appreciation for the support, describing it as a timely boost that would significantly enhance her beekeeping business.
The YiALTF is expected to play a central role in the Federal Government’s efforts to empower young people, strengthen Nigeria’s food systems, and position agriculture as a major driver of inclusive economic growth and national prosperity.
Cover Photo Caption: The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande (far left), alongside other dignitaries, during the official launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF), held in Abuja on Monday, June 1, 2026
