ActionAid Nigeria has projected that Nigeria could boost its economy by as much as N60 trillion annually through the active participation of youth in agriculture, particularly via the proposed Nigerian Youth in Agritech and Innovation Programme (NYATIP).
This was disclosed yesterday at the National Young People’s Dialogue on Inclusive Food Systems held in Abuja , organised by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with the Senate Committee on Agriculture and supported by GIZ.
Food systems specialist at ActionAid Nigeria, Azubike Nwokoye, emphasised during his presentation that youth unemployment stands at an alarming 53.4 percent, with over 50 million Nigerian youths currently jobless.
He argued that supporting 40 million of these youths through NYATIP could create substantial economic value.
“Each of these 40 million new agricultural jobs could contribute an estimated $1,000 annually to the economy, totaling $40 billion or approximately N60 trillion in value addition to Nigeria’s GDP,” Nwokoye stated.
He warned of the massive economic losses Nigeria continues to face due to insufficient investment in youth-inclusive agricultural initiatives.
These include missed employment opportunities, underutilisation of arable land, persistent poverty and escalating food insecurity.
Nwokoye also highlighted that agriculture, when well-structured, can reduce poverty by as much as 59 per cent and offers more job creation potential per dollar invested compared to manufacturing.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, reiterated the senate’s commitment to supporting youth-driven agriculture.
He stressed the importance of modernising agriculture by empowering youth with skills and capital, while pointing out the need for synergy with existing government agencies like the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
“Nigerian agriculture is facing an aging population and youth involvement is critical to reversing this trend, agriculture is not just a tool for food security but also a driver of economic growth and national stability,” Mustapha said.
He added that the dialogue is an opportunity to shape policies that will help young Nigerians see agriculture as a viable and dignified career path.
In her remarks, the deputy country director of ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Mohammad Dankabo, applauded the engagement of young Nigerians from all 36 states, calling on the government to prioritise youth-friendly policies in agriculture.
“If all the young people of Nigeria agree to take up farming as a profession, I’m sure the social security of the nation is achieved,” she said.
Young farmers at the event advocated for deliberate youth-focused programming that supports rural and urban youth through entrepreneurship, value addition, market linkages and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
They also emphasised the role of agriculture in reducing insecurity and restiveness, especially in regions affected by terrorism and farmer-herder conflicts.
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