The Federal Government has unveiled the Revised National Youth Manifesto in Agriculture (2025–2030) alongside the Nigerian Youth in Agribusiness Call to Action, 2025, as part of efforts to strengthen youth participation and leadership in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The event, held in Abuja, was declared open by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, who was represented by Hajia Safina Abdullahi, Deputy Director of Planning and Policy Coordination in the Ministry.
Sen. Kyari commended the Leonard & Nkiruka Okonkwo Foundation (LANOF) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) for leading what he described as an inclusive, youth-centered initiative. He further applauded the creativity and contributions of young Nigerians whose ideas shaped the revised document.
“This is not just the presentation of a policy paper, it is the unveiling of a youth-owned blueprint for transforming Nigeria’s agriculture,” Kyari said. “Young people are not only beneficiaries of these policies but the true architects and drivers of the country’s agricultural future.”
He assured that the Ministry would incorporate the Call to Action into the Revised National Gender Policy in Agriculture and its Strategic Plan of Action (2025–2030). He also revealed that the Manifesto would be presented at the National Council on Agriculture later this year for adoption at both federal and state levels.
Encouraging young people to take ownership of the initiative, Kyari stated: “This Manifesto reflects your collective vision,bold, innovative, and forward-looking. But the time has come to turn words into action. Step up to the challenge, drive this process, and build enterprises that create solutions, not just farms that seek opportunities.”
In his remarks, Leonard Okonkwo, Co-Founder of LANOF, described the Manifesto as a “people-centered roadmap” that aligns with the African Union’s Youth Agribusiness Call to Action. He emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration, technical expertise, and sustained investment to achieve its goals.
However, young people participating at the launch called for improved access to land, youth-friendly financing mechanisms, training opportunities, promotion of agricultural technology, gender equity, and stronger institutional support for youth leadership.
The Country Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Sophie von Knebel, commended LANOF and other partners for their joint effort, expressing confidence that the Manifesto would help reshape Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
Also speaking, Blessing Akhile, who represented ActionAid Nigeria’s National Gender Steering Committee, described the launch as “encouraging” and pledged ActionAid’s commitment to supporting the process so that the document translates into tangible impact nationwide.
