News in brief:
– The National Assembly has proposed an Equity Trust Fund to support young Nigerians with start-up grants for agriculture and youth-led ventures.
– It aims to reduce poverty and boost food security and will tap into youths’ innovation to revitalise the sector and counter unemployment and ageing farmers.
In a move aimed at empowering young Nigerians and revitalising the agricultural sector, the National Assembly has proposed an Equity Trust Fund bill to provide financial support for youth-led enterprises, especially in agriculture.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, announced the proposal during the National Young People’s Dialogue on Inclusive Food Systems, co-hosted by ActionAid Nigeria and supported by GIZ’s AgSys programme.
Typically, an equity trust fund is a pool of money established to provide support in the form of grants, equity investments, or low-interest loans for specific groups or causes, such as youth, women, or small businesses.
Unlike regular loans from banks, an equity trust fund may not require repayment in the same way, or may offer more flexible terms. The idea is to remove financial barriers for underserved or high-potential groups so they can contribute more meaningfully to national development.
The fund will target Nigerians aged 25 and below, offering start-up grants to help them launch agricultural businesses and other ventures.
“This initiative will create jobs, reduce poverty, and tackle the rising ‘japa syndrome,'” Mustapha said. “It’s a step towards economic growth and food security.”
He emphasised the urgent need to engage youths in agriculture to counter challenges such as an ageing farming population and high unemployment.
“Young Nigerians bring innovation, resilience, and tech-savviness that are vital for sustainable food systems,” he noted.
Mustapha also called for policy reforms, targeted training, and better access to resources for young farmers. He stressed that youth engagement could unlock opportunities in agribusiness, value chains, and food production.
Echoing this, ActionAid’s Azubike Nwokoye highlighted the Youth in Agritech and Innovation Programme, which promotes sustainable livelihoods through youth-focused agricultural policies.
As Nigeria’s population rises, the Equity Trust Fund promises to be a game-changer in ensuring a food-secure future by placing the nation’s vibrant youth at the heart of agricultural transformation.
