WorldStage newsonline– The Federal Government has called on Nigerian youths to take ownership of their economic future by venturing into agribusiness and other productive enterprises, rather than waiting for government jobs.
The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande who disclosed this during the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Youth and Women in Agribusiness convened by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abuja said that the government was working closely with the AfDB to design a strong proposal aimed at addressing critical challenges faced by young people.
The theme of event was, “Access to Finance and Empowering Youth and Women for Agribusiness success’’.
Olawande said “We believe that the young people of this country should be creating jobs, not seeking for government jobs, not seeking to be a civil servants.
“With the right support, the youths can grow in our businesses and take millions out of poverty,’’ he said.
He said that the Ministry’s youth empowerment plan was anchored on three pillars.
“The pillars are human capital development, infrastructural upgrade of youth centres and provision of practical skills to drive employment and enterprise in agriculture and technology.
“We are working closely to provide the skill gap that will prepare the young people for work in today’s economy, including farming, technology and grain industry
“This is not just about giving money. It is about giving young people the tools, support, and safe space needed to succeed,” he said.
The minister decried the disconnect between the youth and government, adding that young Nigerians often feel unseen and unheard.
Olawande said that many young people were willing to work, especially in agriculture, but lacked the right support.
He said that it had become necessary to provide that necessary support for them to thrive.
He thanked the AfDB and other partners for their continued support to youths and women in Nigeria, urging participants to take advantage of the dialogue to chart a workable path for inclusive economic growth.
The Minister also said that efforts were ongoing to upgrade youth development centres across the country to serve as hubs for training, mentorship, and enterprise support in agribusiness and related sectors.
Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, emphasised the need to recognise agribusiness as a viable commercial venture and not merely a subsistence activity.
Bagudu said that the government was focused on policies that would encourage the transition of millions of Nigerians into agriculture-based enterprises, noting that collaboration among federal, state and local governments would be key.
He said that the National Economic Council had recently approved a ward-based development programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda to support agricultural activities in the various wards.
“This is a significant opportunity. With just a little support, we can triple productivity in many agric-based wards, create jobs and grow wealth across the country,” he said.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, said that the ministry was implementing a livestock initiative targeting 37,000 youth and women across the 36 states and the FCT.
Maiha said thst the programme, which included distribution of animals and other agricultural inputs, aimed to boost food and nutrition security, enhance income generation and increase livestock productivity.
“The initiatives is targeted at 37,000 youths and women beneficiaries in Nigeria that is why we are going to take 1000 youths and women from each state of the federation including FCT
“The scope include key livestock value chain knowledge , skills and tangible assets such as cow, sheep, goat, pigs, poultry, beehives among others.
“We are inviting the AfDB to collaborate with us in this initiative that will transform the lives of youths of Nigerians,’’ he said.
Prof. Attahiru Jega, Special Adviser to the President on Livestock, commended the AfDB for the event, saying that a policy dialogue that will address challenges faced by agribusinesses in the country was long overdue.
Jega further restated the importance of conceptualising policies that would ensure national development.
Similarly, Prof Tunji Olaopa, while commending the AfDB’s unwavering commitment to this stride, emphasised the need for support to make the agribusiness profitable.
” We need to move at the level of policy, to dismantle systemic barriers, to support them through mentorship and ensure equal access to land among others,” he said.
