Agro-tech Programme Targets 600,000 Youths Empowerment By 2027

An agro-technology programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills and opportunities in modern agriculture is targeting 600,000 youths for empowerment by October 2027.

The programme is part of efforts by the Youths on Ground Progressive and Mentorship Initiative to promote youth participation, drive innovation and create employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

The founder and national coordinator of the initiative, Obioma Nwuba, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the launch of the ‘Renewed Hope 2.0: Youths Driving the Agro-Technology Revolution’, a training programme designed to equip 120 youths across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Nwuba said the ambitious target was driven by the need to restore hope among young Nigerians through practical skills, economic opportunities and mentorship, stressing that the initiative was determined to move beyond political mobilisation to tangible youth empowerment.

He said the FCT programme would train 20 participants from each of the six area councils, adding that similar interventions had already been implemented in Taraba and Niger states.

He also noted that the interventions were designed to give young people direction, help them discover their potential and build their capacity to become economically productive, particularly at a time when many were struggling with the country’s economic realities.

He expressed optimism that the FCT intervention would produce even better results, projecting at least an 80 per cent success rate among the 120 participants.

“We are mentoring them and following up on their progress. We are not just training people and leaving them. We want to see them succeed and become economically independent,” he said.

Nwuba added that achieving the target of empowering 600,000 youths by October 2027 would require sustained engagement, mentorship and partnerships capable of translating the initiative’s vision into measurable economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

Also speaking, the special guest of honour, Princess Hadiza Ujah, stressed the importance of investing in young people through skills acquisition, mentorship and entrepreneurship.

She noted that equipping youths with relevant knowledge and practical skills was critical to addressing unemployment and promoting economic independence.