The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Nigerian youth across the country’s food systems.
Speaking during the Future of Food Conference and the unveiling of the Youth in Food Systems Mapping Report in Abuja, IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, emphasised the organisation’s dedication to youth empowerment in agriculture.
She highlighted IFAD’s commitment to working closely with federal and state institutions to mainstream youth participation across all aspects of the food system.
The conference, themed “Empowering the Future: Unleashing Youth Potential for Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems”, was organised by the National Food Systems Task Team.
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Ekoue stated that all ongoing Federal Government/IFAD-funded projects, including the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), were designed to actively involve youth across the agricultural value chain.
She further mentioned that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) were structured to promote youth engagement across various segments of the agricultural value chain.
In addition, she noted that the Youth Agrihub initiatives, to be implemented by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), would focus on involving young people in areas such as production, processing,
“We are committed to ensuring that young people are not just participants, but key drivers of transformation.
“This is more than a policy commitment; it is an investment in the future of food security, rural development, and economic resilience in Nigeria,” she said.
Ekoue lauded youth networks and partners for their role in producing the Youth in Food Systems Mapping Report, describing their efforts as foundational to building a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector.
She stressed that in spite of ongoing challenges such as climate change, economic pressure, and conflict, youth remained central to transforming food systems.
“They bring bold ideas, digital savvy, and a strong commitment to sustainability, but often lack the support systems to lead.”
The mapping report, she added, offered a data-driven roadmap to understanding youth engagement, identifying barriers, and informing strategies to empower young people within the food ecosystem.