Young agripreneurs will drive Nigeria’s agricultural transformation

Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has emphasised that young agripreneurs hold the key to accelerating the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural sector through innovation, enterprise, and inclusivity.

Speaking at the World Food Forum (WFF) Nigeria Chapter Side Event held in Rome, Italy, themed “Bridging Policy and Innovation: Youth at the Forefront of Agri-Food Transformation,” Kyari said empowering youth as co-architects of the nation’s food systems is essential for sustainable growth.

He noted that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, agriculture has been placed at the center of Nigeria’s development agenda.

“Food security is more than an economic priority — it is the foundation of national sovereignty and stability,” Kyari stated.

The minister explained that the Tinubu administration, through its Renewed Hope vision, is reinforcing confidence in food systems, strengthening production, and empowering youth to drive future growth in agribusiness.

Kyari said the government is strengthening the link between policy and practice to ensure that agricultural strategies are “inclusive, data-driven, and shaped by those who live and work within our food systems, especially the youth driving innovation.”

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He noted that Nigeria is shifting from a top-down approach to one of collaboration and co-creation, where young voices play a defining role in shaping policy.

Highlighting key policies, the minister pointed to the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) as the backbone of a youth-driven, tech-enabled, and commercially viable agricultural ecosystem. He emphasised that financing remains crucial to sustaining innovation.

“No matter how brilliant our ideas or technologies, without accessible and affordable finance, they cannot grow into impact,” he said.

Kyari listed major government initiatives such as the operationalisation of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the ₦1.5 trillion recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) — one of Nigeria’s largest ever agricultural finance commitments — aimed at expanding access to affordable credit for youth and women-led agribusinesses.

The Minister also celebrated young Nigerian innovators including; Samson Ogbole, Femi Adekoya, Atinuke Lebile, and Azeez Salawu.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.