The Nigerian government has officially launched the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF), a strategic initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment and improving access to land for young farmers amid growing concerns over food insecurity and land-use conflicts across the country. The program was unveiled in Abuja on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and various financial institutions.
Overcoming Land Access Barriers
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, emphasized that land access remains one of the most significant obstacles for young Nigerians interested in agriculture. He noted that many of Nigeria's long-standing communal conflicts and contemporary security challenges are linked to land management and competition over land resources. Bagudu stated, "This initiative demonstrates that the Ministry of Youth should be everywhere in a collaborative manner because when you meet young people in agriculture, the first issue they identify is land."
Land Conflicts and Food Security
The minister highlighted that Nigeria cannot achieve its agricultural ambitions without addressing land-related challenges and involving youth in agribusiness. He expressed confidence that agriculture can drive inclusive economic growth under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, but stressed that youth participation is critical. Bagudu also linked farmer-herder conflicts to land use pressures and outdated agricultural systems. "Our farmer-herder clashes are likely a land problem. Competing land uses between people accustomed to farming in traditional ways and livestock management in traditional ways require new thinking and better land utilization," he said.
He added that the federal government is working with states and local governments to develop a coordinated framework for land management and economic planning across Nigeria's 8,809 wards. Bagudu also argued that macroeconomic reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration have improved the country's investment climate, and the challenge now is to organize young people and attract private capital into agribusiness.
Agriculture as a Job Creation Engine
During his address, the Minister of Youth and Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as a direct response to unemployment and limited economic opportunities facing young Nigerians. He noted that over 70 percent of Nigeria's population is under 30 years old, making youth inclusion central to the country's future. Olawande said agriculture remains one of Nigeria's biggest opportunities for job creation beyond traditional farming. "Today, agriculture is no longer just about farming. It includes technology, processing, packaging, marketing, exports and innovation across the value chain," he said.
He revealed that many young Nigerians are discouraged from entering agriculture due to difficulties in accessing farmland, insecurity, and boundary disputes. The ministry has reviewed assets under its control nationwide and identified unused lands within youth development centers that could be converted into agricultural hubs. "This initiative is not just about giving land. It is about giving young people the support they need to succeed," he said.
Training and Support Targets
Olawande announced that the program aims to train over six million young Nigerians within three years and support at least 500,000 youth-led agribusinesses. The initiative will provide training, mentorship, financial support, technology, and access to local and international markets.
IITA Endorsement
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ehui Simeon, said the initiative aligns with the organization's mission of transforming agriculture through science and innovation. He noted that Africa's farming population is aging while youth unemployment remains one of the continent's biggest development challenges. Simeon stated that the land trust fund could help address both problems by connecting young people to productive assets and agribusiness opportunities. "We have seen young agronomists transform entire villages when given the resources. We have seen youth-led agriculture create jobs, improve systems and stimulate local economies," he said.
He added that the success of the initiative should not be measured by the number of hectares allocated but by the number of young people whose lives are transformed. "It will be the number of businesses created, the number of jobs generated, the volume of food produced and the number of communities empowered," he said.
22 Million Hectares Target
Presenting the framework for the initiative, Magisho Aline, Chief Executive Officer of IITA's Youth in Agribusiness Unit, said the initiative is designed to address the high failure rate among youth-owned businesses during their first three years. She noted that many young entrepreneurs struggle because they lack financial support and cannot bear the cost of starting businesses independently. "The land trust fund creates an environment where young people can share costs, access technology, learn financial discipline and build sustainable businesses," she said.
Aline added that the program plans to reposition 500,000 young Nigerians as agribusiness entrepreneurs and open access to 22 million hectares of land within three years. The initiative will also focus on financial literacy, business development, and agricultural technology. "A country that cannot feed its own people will eventually collapse to its own enemies," she warned.
