Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has called for increased access to land for young Nigerians as a critical step toward boosting their participation in agriculture and agribusiness.
Speaking at the national launch of the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF) in Abuja on Monday, Bagudu described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at removing one of the biggest obstacles facing young people in agriculture—access to land.
He said Nigeria possesses enormous agricultural potential but continues to face challenges related to land ownership, access, and coordination, which limit productivity and discourage long-term investment.
According to the minister, agriculture should no longer be viewed as a subsistence activity but as a modern business capable of creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing significantly to economic growth.
Drawing lessons from countries such as the Netherlands, Bagudu noted that agricultural success depends not only on the availability of land but also on technology, organisation, skills, and productivity.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, noting that effective land administration and agricultural development require a coordinated national approach.
Bagudu also highlighted the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Programme as a framework for identifying land resources and economic opportunities across communities nationwide.
The minister acknowledged that government funding alone would be insufficient to drive the required transformation in the sector and called for greater private-sector investment in agribusiness.
He urged young Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in farming, livestock production, fisheries, food processing, agricultural technology, and other value-chain activities, expressing confidence that initiatives such as YALTF would strengthen food security and economic development.
Earlier, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the Federal Government was committed to translating youth empowerment policies into practical programmes.
He said the major challenge confronting Nigerian youths was not a lack of talent or innovation but limited access to opportunities and support systems.
According to Olawande, the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund was created to address these barriers and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places young people at the centre of national economic development.
The minister described agriculture as one of Nigeria's most promising sectors for job creation, poverty reduction, and economic expansion, noting that modern agribusiness extends beyond cultivation to technology, processing, packaging, marketing, exports, and other value-chain enterprises.
Olawande revealed that the initiative was inspired by visits to youth development centres across the country, where he observed vast areas of underutilised land that could be transformed into productive agribusiness hubs.
He explained that the programme goes beyond land allocation by providing training, mentorship, technology, business support, and market access for participating youths.
Describing YALTF as a long-term national initiative, the minister said its success would depend on partnerships involving government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders.
He stressed that access to land alone would not guarantee success without financing, technical assistance, and market linkages, and therefore called on stakeholders to support the programme.
Olawande commended partner institutions and relevant ministries for their contributions, describing the launch as more than a ceremonial event.
"It is a declaration of confidence in Nigerian youth and a collective commitment to creating sustainable pathways for economic empowerment and agribusiness development across the country," he said.