Nigeria unveils 10-year youth-led agricultural transformation plan at UN Food Summit

By Kunle Sanni –

Nigeria has unveiled a comprehensive 10-year plan aimed at transforming its agricultural sector through youth-led innovation, as part of efforts to strengthen food security and drive sustainable development.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made the announcement at the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), where African leaders and youth entrepreneurs gathered to chart the future of the continent’s food systems. He said the Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) will serve as Nigeria’s framework for implementing the CAADP Kampala Declaration, adopted by African Heads of State to achieve food and nutrition security across the continent.

“A nation that is prepared for the future is not known by the promises it makes but by the place it gives to its youth in shaping those promises,” Shettima said. “To see African youths leading the charge in this essential sector speaks more eloquently than any speech.”

Shettima disclosed that Nigeria has already taken major steps toward agricultural renewal. This includes the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture with ₦1.5 trillion ($1 billion) to support young farmers, with loans of up to ₦1 million available to youth-led agri-groups.

In addition, Nigeria has committed over $538 million to the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme. The initiative, backed by the African Development Bank, IFAD, and the Islamic Development Bank, aims to boost agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses by 80%, and create up to 1 million jobs by 2027. So far, 785,000 jobs have been generated under the programme.

Nigeria is also making strides in agricultural innovation through several targeted initiatives. The country is investing $70 million to deploy 2,000 tractors, aimed at cultivating over 550,000 hectares of land and assisting farming households. This effort includes a partnership with John Deere for the distribution of an additional 10,000 tractors over the next five years.

Furthermore, Nigeria is enhancing agricultural practices through the expansion of greenhouse technology, irrigation systems, and mechanisation, all under the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project in collaboration with Brazil.

To empower its youth, the government is also fostering agribusiness partnerships with the Netherlands, CGIAR, and IITA, targeting 10,000 young individuals, with a commitment that at least half will be women. Together, these initiatives reflect Nigeria’s comprehensive approach to revolutionising its agricultural sector and promoting youth engagement.