Youth Ministry, Niger Govt, NALDA partner to empower 100,000 youths in agriculture
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, the Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr. Sammy Adigun, and the CEO/Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Mr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a National Youth Agricultural Scheme. The initiative aims to […]
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, the Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr. Sammy Adigun, and the CEO/Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Mr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a National Youth Agricultural Scheme.
The initiative aims to engage 100,000 youths in agriculture, fostering food security and economic growth.
The MoU signing ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Minna, where stakeholders gathered to formalize the partnership.
Comrade Olawande praised Governor Bago for his commitment to ensuring food security, job creation, and youth empowerment in Nigeria. He highlighted that the tripartite agreement would strengthen collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Niger State Government, and NALDA.
The Minister emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security and youth employment. He expressed confidence that the program would create sustainable opportunities for young Nigerians while addressing the nation’s agricultural challenges.
Mr. Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, outlined the ambitious goals of the partnership, which include producing 500,000 tons of food annually. He revealed that participating youths would earn N150,000 in the first year, with the potential to generate millions of naira over the next four to five years as the program scales.
Mr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, Executive Secretary and CEO of NALDA, commended Niger State for its leadership in agricultural development, describing it as the ideal location to pilot the youth-focused initiative. He expressed optimism that the partnership would serve as a model for other states to replicate.
Governor Bago of Niger State welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a landmark achievement for youth development and agricultural advancement. He expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian youth to excel with minimal support and reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to ensure the program’s success.
The partnership marks a significant step toward harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s youth population to drive agricultural innovation, ensure food security, and create sustainable livelihood.