The National Assembly has introduced a bill titled the ‘Equity Trust Fund’, designed to tackle the difficulties young Nigerians face in accessing funding for their various initiatives.
The legislature stated that, if enacted, the dedicated fund would facilitate sustainable job creation and stimulate economic growth.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, gave this assurance at the National Young People’s Dialogue on Inclusive Food Systems.
The dialogue was jointly organised by ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, with support from the German International Cooperation (GIZ) through its Sustainable Agriculture Systems and Policies (AgSys) programme.
According to Senator Mustapha, the proposed fund would target Nigerians aged 25 and under.
“We are working towards establishing a trust fund that will consistently support young Nigerians and women in their respective fields,” he said.
“Such a fund would empower them to grow and excel in their professions and businesses. If we succeed in setting up this dedicated fund as a start-up grant, it will spur economic growth and help reduce the current ‘japa syndrome’ in the country. It would also create a more enabling environment for young people to thrive.”
He emphasised that agriculture remains a key driver of poverty reduction and economic development in Nigeria, highlighting the vital role of young people in sustaining agricultural productivity.
“Youths are resilient, resourceful, and determined—qualities essential to national development,” he said.
“Involving young people in agriculture can address challenges such as an ageing farming population and rising youth unemployment. However, this requires intentional policy shifts, tailored training, and active promotion of agriculture among youths. This includes providing support, resources, and opportunities to foster their involvement.”
Senator Mustapha called for collaboration between government bodies, organisations, and institutions to create an enabling environment for youth engagement in agriculture.
“Youth participation can yield numerous benefits job creation, economic advancement, and sustainable development. The agricultural sector offers diverse employment avenues, from crop and livestock production to agribusiness,” he said.
He further noted that by supporting young entrepreneurs, the government could enable them to establish businesses, generate employment, and contribute to national food security.
The dialogue, he explained, was intended to identify ways to increase youth participation in agriculture, alleviate poverty, boost economic growth, and generate more opportunities for young people.
Given Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, Senator Mustapha stressed the urgent need to scale up food production.
“Achieving food security is not just about producing more food, but also ensuring fair access and distribution,” he said. “Despite progress in sustainable farming, challenges persist, such as climate change, limited arable land, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.
“Young people, with their innovative outlook, technological skills, and commitment to sustainability, are well-placed to introduce solutions to these problems. Nigeria’s dynamic youth population can be a powerful force for economic growth and increased food production.”
He acknowledged persistent challenges in the sector, including an ageing farmer demographic, poor access to modern technologies, and underutilisation of arable land.
Improving productivity and strengthening agricultural value chains, he said, is key to reducing unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity.
“This dialogue aims to offer practical solutions to the barriers hindering youth participation in agriculture. We intend to explore opportunities in youth entrepreneurship, value addition, and diversification within the sector.
“By promoting youth engagement, we can unlock lasting development, stimulate the economy, and create jobs—paving the way towards a more food-secure future for all,” he concluded.
Also speaking, Mr Azubike Nwokoye, Food Systems Specialist at ActionAid Nigeria, highlighted the Nigerian Youth in Agritech and Innovation Programme.
He said the overarching goal of the programme is to create sustainable employment and livelihoods for young people in the agricultural sector, thereby contributing to overall economic growth.
According to him, the programme also seeks to advocate for youth-focused policies and initiatives within the agriculture space.
