The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu has underscored the importance of providing young people with access to land to enhance their participation in agriculture and agribusiness.
Bagudu stated this at the national launch of the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF) in Abuja, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention to promote youth engagement across the agricultural value chain.
The Minister commended the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund, an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Development, noting that “it addresses one of the major challenges limiting youth involvement in agriculture.”
According to him, “access to land remains a critical factor in unlocking the potential of young people in the sector and advancing national food security and economic growth.”
Bagudu expressed confidence that the initiative would create opportunities for young agripreneurs, increase productivity and support the government’s efforts to diversify the economy through agriculture
He noted that although Nigeria has vast agricultural potential, challenges related to land access, ownership structures, and inadequate coordination continue to constrain productivity and discourage long-term investment.
The Minister stressed that agriculture must no longer be seen merely as subsistence farming but as a modern business sector capable of creating jobs, driving innovation, and strengthening the national economy.
Drawing lessons from global examples such as the Netherlands, he explained that “agricultural success is determined not only by land size but also by organisation, technology, skills, and productivity.”
Bagudu further emphasised the importance of collaboration among Nigerian, state, and local governments, noting that land administration and agricultural development require a whole-of-government and whole-of-federation approach grounded in shared responsibility and partnership.
Highlighting ongoing national planning efforts, the Minister cited the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Programme as a key framework for identifying land availability and economic opportunities across Nigeria’s wards and communities.
Bagudu acknowledged that government resources alone cannot fund the level of transformation required, and therefore called for greater private-sector participation and investment in agribusiness.
National development
Encouraging young Nigerians to embrace opportunities in farming, livestock, fisheries, food processing, agritech, and agricultural value chains, he expressed confidence that initiatives such as YALTF would empower young people to become major contributors to food security, economic growth, and national development.
Addressing participants, including stakeholders, development partners, youth leaders, and the media, Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment to moving beyond policy discussions to practical youth empowerment initiatives.
Olawande stated that the challenge facing Nigerian youth is not a lack of talent or innovation, but limited access to opportunities and support.
According to the Minister, the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund was conceived as a direct response to these barriers and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognises young people as central to Nigeria’s economic future.
Olawande described agriculture as one of the largest untapped opportunities for job creation, poverty reduction, and economic expansion in Nigeria.
He emphasised that modern agriculture now extends beyond cultivation to include technology, processing, packaging, marketing, exports, and value-chain enterprises.
Olawande said the initiative was inspired by visits to youth development centres across the country, where he observed large underutilised lands that could be developed into agribusiness hubs.
This discovery, he said, prompted the Ministry to develop a programme that goes beyond land allocation, providing young people with training, mentorship, technology, business support, and market access.
YALTF
Describing YALTF as a national programme designed for long-term impact, the Minister emphasised that its success depends on collaboration among government institutions, financial organisations, development partners, and the private sector.
Olawande maintained that land alone is insufficient without financing, technical support, and market linkages, and therefore urged stakeholders to actively support the initiative.
He commended partner institutions and relevant ministries for their contributions, describing the launch not merely as a ceremonial event, but as a demonstration of confidence in Nigerian youth and a collective commitment to building sustainable pathways for economic empowerment and agribusiness development across the country.
