Initiator, Youths Empowerment in Nigeria, Omotola Fawehinmi, has said agriculture remains a strong pillar in the efforts to solve food security challenges, create jobs for Nigerian youths and increase government revenue at all levels.
A report says one out of three Nigerian youths are currently unemployed and agriculture has been identified as a viable sector to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.
A third of the 69.7 million-strong labour force in Africa’s most-populous nation either did nothing or worked for less than 20 hours a week, making them unemployed.
Another 15.9 million work less than 40 hours a week, making them underemployed.
Fawehinmi insisted that agriculture is the only sector that can bring Nigerians out of the present economic woes.
According to him, apart from food security, Nigerian youths should also focus on farming to create employment for themselves.
“Investing in the agricultural sector will further promote a healthy and rich food system, which also promotes employment through agricultural businesses. It will stand as a bridge to promote job opportunities for our women and youths, as a source of their livelihood, which also promotes global trade and boosts the economy,” he said.
Guardian
