FCT Minister Of State, Mahmoud Calls For More Investment In Agricultural Education

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, has emphasized the need for greater investment in agricultural education that combines classroom knowledge with hands-on enterprise. She also highlighted the importance of expanding access to funding and essential tools for young entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the 2025 National School Entrepreneurship and Awards hosted by Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) Nigeria in Abuja, Mahmoud called for the creation of innovation hubs where young people can work together to develop sustainable solutions to today’s agricultural challenges.

She urged educators, mentors, policymakers, and stakeholders to go beyond offering praise and take concrete steps to support and drive youth-led innovation.

Represented by her Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Michael Bawa, the minister highlighted that Nigerian youths are not only the leaders of the future but also the innovators of the present.

She pointed out that their creativity and technological skills are crucial for revolutionizing agribusiness and ensuring Nigeria’s food security.

Addressing the theme, “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Sustainable Agribusinesses and Food Security,” the minister emphasized the pressing need to support youth-led agripreneurship as a vital strategy to address the country’s changing agricultural challenges.

She praised SAGE Nigeria for its dedication to fostering entrepreneurial spirit, highlighting its impressive achievement of winning the SAGE World Cup eight times over the past 12 years.

In a statement released on Thursday by her Special Adviser on Media, Austine Elemue, the minister remarked, “This accomplishment highlights the outstanding potential of Nigerian youth on the global stage.”

The minister pointed out that Nigeria’s development is influenced by complex factors such as rapid population growth, climate change, rural unemployment, and food insecurity.

Despite these challenges, she affirmed that the country is well-positioned to overcome them through the innovative drive of its young people.

Emphasizing the transformative impact of modern agriculture, Mahmoud highlighted the increasing use of technologies like drones, mobile applications, blockchain, and artificial intelligence in revolutionizing farming methods—shifting agriculture from being a last resort to a sector full of opportunities.

She referred to the young entrepreneurs in attendance as “the architects of Nigeria’s future,” capable of transforming scarcity into abundance and dependency into sustainability.

Mahmoud urged all stakeholders to have faith in the power of youth innovation and to dedicate themselves to building a nation where no Nigerian goes hungry and every young person finds opportunities in agriculture.

In his earlier remarks, Mr. Agwu Amogu, National Chairman of SAGE Nigeria, described the program as a nationwide celebration of young people shaping the future through creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

He praised the courageous teenage entrepreneurs who, instead of giving in to apathy, have chosen to take action, seeing challenges not as barriers but as opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his dedication to youth empowerment and innovation, Amogu called on regional governments and other stakeholders to embrace practical entrepreneurship education as a key strategy for national development.

“Mr. President, your leadership inspires hope in millions of young Nigerians. Together, let us work to expand SAGE to every secondary school in Nigeria,” he said.

SAGE was established in 2002 at California State University, Chico, USA. Since its introduction to Nigeria in 2006, it has grown into one of the most impactful platforms for youth empowerment, educational reform, and community development.

Today, the program operates in over 32 countries, with Nigeria ranking among the top performers.