The programme, supported by First City Monument Bank (FCMB), aims to address one of the most significant challenges confronting young agripreneurs—limited access to farmland—while also creating pathways for financing, enterprise growth and job creation across the agricultural value chain.
The initiative which was unveiled in Abuja had a high-level gathering attendance of government officials, development partners, financial institutions, youth organisations and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
According to the organisers, the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund will provide a structured framework through which young people can gain access to land for agricultural production, while fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and value-chain development.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as a transformative step towards boosting youth participation in agriculture and expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
"We want to train more than six million Nigerian youths in the coming years. We also aim to support at least 500,000 youth-led agribusinesses and connect young entrepreneurs to local and international markets," Olawande said.
He noted that agriculture remains one of Nigeria's most promising sectors for job creation, food security and economic growth but stressed that inadequate access to land has continued to hinder youth participation.
"Agriculture has the potential to create millions of jobs, improve food production, reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth. However, access to land remains one of the biggest barriers confronting young people today, and this initiative seeks to address that challenge," he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said the fund reflects the Federal Government's commitment to removing structural barriers that limit youth participation in agriculture.
According to him, the initiative will create an enabling environment for youth-led agribusinesses to thrive and expand, thereby contributing to national development and food security.
Representing FCMB at the event, the Divisional Head, Agribusiness and Non-Oil Export, Kudzai Gumunyu, reaffirmed the bank's commitment to supporting programmes that make agriculture more accessible, profitable and attractive to young people.
"The future of Nigerian agriculture depends on how effectively we structure financing and support systems around the realities of young people and the sector.
Agriculture must be positioned as a modern, technology-driven business with opportunities in logistics, processing, commodity trading, mechanisation, digital platforms and innovation," he said.
Gumunyu observed that many young Nigerians face difficulties accessing finance due to inadequate collateral and weak financial structures, limiting their ability to scale agricultural ventures.
He highlighted FCMB's AgTech Aggregator Programme, which supports young innovators developing solutions to challenges across the agricultural value chain. "Building the right ecosystem is critical. The future of Nigerian agriculture is young, climate-smart, market-driven and innovation-enabled.
To unlock its full potential, we must strengthen partnerships that improve access to finance, technical support, technology and market opportunities," he added.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, also commended the collaboration among government agencies, development institutions and private-sector partners, noting that it would help nurture a new generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development and IITA expressed appreciation to FCMB and other partners for their support towards youth empowerment and agricultural transformation.
The launch attracted representatives of development agencies, donor organisations, state governments, financial institutions, youth networks, agribusiness stakeholders and members of the NYSC.