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Agriculture As Panacea For Youth Unemployment

Published

10 years ago

March 14, 2016

Tilling the ground and rearing of cattle were the chief employments in ancient times. The Egyptians excelled in agriculture and after the Israelites entered into the possession of the Promised Land, their circumstances favoured in the highest degree a remarkable development of this art. Agriculture became indeed the basis of the Mosaic common wealth.
Before the advent of crude oil in commercial quantity in Nigeria, agriculture was also the main stay of economy as products like Cocoa, Timber, Cotton, Groundnut, Hides and Skin, Palm oil among others were exported in large quantities which resulted availability of foreign exchange for development and employment not only for the youth but all unemployed persons of various ages.
However, when oil was discovered in commercial quantities about 60 years ago, these agricultural products and their relevance to the development of the country were relegated to the background which eventually led to the unemployment burden Nigerians are facing in recent time.
Recently, analysts who discussed the issue of unemployment in Nigeria at different forum opine that unemployment in Nigeria is one of the most critical problems the country is facing in spite of its diverse and infinite resources.
They observe that while schools turn out millions of graduates every year, the labour market absorbs only a small fraction of them.
For instance, the International Labour Organisation says in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria inclusive, unemployment affects between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of the workforce.
It notes that young people comprise more than 40 per cent of the total number of the employed in most cases.
In the light of this, the Federal Government inaugurated Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) in December 2014 to address the rate of unemployment in the country.
The programme is intended to create a new generation of 750,000 young commercial farmers and agribusiness leaders (Nagropreneurs) that will make Nigeria’s agriculture more efficient, profitable and competitive.
The Federal Government says Nagropreneurs will become the chief executive officers of their farms and agribusinesses, creating jobs in the rural areas and reversing the trend of high rural to urban migration.
Similarly, the Federal Government is to empower 740,000 market-oriented young agricultural producers in rural areas by the programme.
Dr Shehu Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the programme had begun in Bauchi State, Imo, Katsina State, Lagos State, Niger and Rivers.
He said that the beneficiaries of the project would include 20,000 school leavers and rural youth leaders from each state.
He also said the programme would develop additional 18,500 university graduates, who would be formed into young agribusiness entrepreneurs. Ahmed explained that the beneficiaries of YEAP would enjoy support from the federal and state governments in areas of access to land, technical, entrepreneurial, financial business and marketing assistance. However, he commended the efforts of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) for providing assistance for the ministry by strengthening the capacities to implement the programme in the pilot states and solicited expansion of the programmes to more states.
Stressing the importance of agriculture to creation of jobs, Ms Louise Setshwaelo, FAO Representative in Nigeria, said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the organisation designed YEAP to provide necessary skills and opportunities for the youth.
According to her, the youth segment forms one of the greatest assets Nigeria can take advantage of to eradicate poverty.
She said that the organisation would continue to collaborate with the federal and state governments in the implementation of the programme. Similarly, Mr Bill Reese, the President, International Youth Foundation, said that agriculture was a potential solution to millions of unem¬ployed African youths.
He observed that although Africa boasts of seven of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies, majority of its young people lived in poverty and struggle to find employment.
“With a combination of investments, innovation and ingenuity, agri¬culture could become a driving force across Africa,’’ he observed.
Therefore, Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko, the Chairman Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Bayelsa chapter, urged young farmers to register with the association to accelerate more development in agriculture, reduce unemployment and boost the nation’s economy.
“I must say that this year’s programme would create more jobs for the people; presently, we have about 40 youths working with us on the 40, 000 hectares of land,’’ he said.
He urged the Federal Government to deepen youth empowerment through agriculture, saying that such move would boost job creation. Ogbianko added that enhancing youth empowerment through agriculture would not only reduce unemployment, but boost the nation’s economy and improve food supply to the citizenry.
“No nation does it well without farming; there is need to improve our food production, we cannot depend on importation of rice for us to survive.
“We need young hands in agriculture; the nation is facing dwindling revenue today because we have solely relied on oil and gas.
“The Federal Government should create a platform that can enable the youth to have easy access to agricultural loan for cassava, rice, beans, vegetable and fruits,’’ he said.
In the same vein, Mr Rotimi Oloye, the National Secretary, Catfish Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, called on the youth to embrace aquaculture as a source of employment.
“To curb prevailing unemployment in the country the youth should engage in catfish and tilapia farming.
“We are imploring our youths, especially the unemployed, to cultivate interest in fish farming; they should change from looking for employment to being employers of labour,’’ Oloye advised.
He also urged them to practise aquaculture and seek employment in agricultural research institutes which has the potential to develop their interests in agriculture.
Oloye said that the result of the youth involvement in the research process would contribute to the growth of the agriculture sector.
Dr Olutayo Adenekan, the Vocational Training Coordinator, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, in his view appealed to the Federal Government to train more youths in various fields of agriculture.
He noted that training and empowering youths and women, especially in agriculture, would reduce poverty and ensure food security in the country.
He said that the college had been training unemployed people, retirees and farmers, among others, on various skills acquisitions over the years through the sponsorship of the Federal Government.
Adenekan said the training included use and maintenance of agricultural machinery, cassava processing, fish, poultry and honey production.
The coordinator said that the training was aimed at imparting knowledge of modern techniques and cost effective methods of agricultural production to the trainees.
All in all, observers note that policy makers should always focus on engaging and empowering young people in agriculture as a way of diversifying the economy

Featured

El-Rufai Prays for Late Audu Ogbeh, Says He Deserves Al-Jannah Firdaus Despite Being Catholic

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has described the late Chief Audu Ogbeh as a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the service of others, praying that God grants him eternal rest in paradise.

Speaking in a video shared by Symfoni TV, El-Rufai acknowledged that Ogbeh was a Catholic, not a Muslim, but said he would continue to pray that Allah admits him into Al-Jannah Firdaus because “he is deserving of it.”

Holding back tears, the former governor praised Ogbeh as “a good man” who touched many lives and left behind a legacy of service. He also recalled Ogbeh’s achievements as Minister of Agriculture, noting that under his leadership Nigeria ended its heavy reliance on rice imports.

“Before his reforms, Nigeria was spending five million dollars monthly on rice imports, but that figure dropped to zero during his tenure,” El-Rufai said.

He prayed for comfort for Ogbeh’s family and loved ones, adding: “I will keep praying for Audu Ogbeh, a Catholic and not a Muslim, so that Allah would grant him entrance to Al-Jannah Firdaus. What a great man he was.”

Do you want me to make this more emotional and tribute-like (focusing on Ogbeh’s character and legacy), or keep it strictly factual and political?

Featured

Facilitation

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a man whose life continues to illuminate the path of honour, courage, and patriotism: Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd.), on the occasion of his 76th birthday. It is not only a moment of personal reflection but a national milestone, as we honour a soldier, statesman, pro-democracy icon, and moral conscience of our nation.

Colonel Umar stands tall among Nigeria’s most principled voices; his name evoking an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and democratic ideals. In the tumultuous days following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, when many chose silence or self-preservation, he chose the difficult path of truth. He risked his career, comfort, and personal safety by speaking out in defence of Chief MKO Abiola’s stolen mandate, despite being a senior member of the ruling military council. It was a singular act of bravery that not only inspired a generation but redefined the meaning of loyalty to country over convenience.

As a young civil rights activist in those difficult days, I found in Colonel Umar not just a role model, but a moral compass. He demonstrated to us that true leadership is not merely about wielding power, but standing firm in defence of what is right, even at great personal cost. His resignation from the Nigerian Army at a time when he stood poised for further elevation is perhaps one of the most courageous acts in our political history.

As Governor of Kaduna State today, I draw deep inspiration from his sterling example of inclusive leadership. His tenure as military governor of this great state remains a reference point for fairness, balance, and peacebuilding. In a deeply diverse and, at times, fractured society, he governed with wisdom, compassion, and an unshakeable belief in our shared humanity.

Colonel Umar’s transcendence of ethnic and religious divides has never required a denial of his own identity. Rather, he has drawn strength from it: his noble Fulani lineage, his deep Islamic faith, and his enduring belief that justice is the foundation of peace.

I am proud to stand among those who celebrate him, not only for his past heroism, but for his continued voice of conscience in our national life. I also warmly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring him with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), a richly deserved recognition.

Happy 76th birthday, our highly revered Colonel Dangiwa Umar. May your legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

Senator Uba Sani, CON
Governor, Kaduna State

Featured

Natasha; Defamations Charges On Akpabio, Yahaya Bello Suffers Adjournment

Published

2 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

For the second time in 24 hours, the trial of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello suffered an adjournment.

The trial scheduled to kick-start on Tuesday was put off by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja following objections raised by the suspended senator against the competence of the charges.

Natasha predicated her objections on the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation AGF by filing charges against her at the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on the same subject matter and same complaints.

When the matter was called, David Kaswe, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice informed the court of his readiness to open the case against the defendant.

He claimed to have his first witness, a Superintendent of Police, Abdulhafeez Garba in court to testify against the senator.

He requested for permission of the court to call the witness into the witness box.

The request was however opposed by lead counsel to the defendant Mr Ehighioge West-Idahosa SAN on the ground that his client has filed a motion on notice, challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court.

West-Idahosa said that the motion has been served on the Attorney General of the Federation AGF as required by law but that the AGF had not responded.

In the drama that ensued, the federal government lawyer who announced appearance for the AGF Office argued that he ought to have been served personally or be informed on phone on the filing of the motion and requested that Natasha’s claim be rejected.

However, the trial Judge, Justice Chizoba Orji found in the case file that the AGF office was served with the motion but had not responded as required by law.

At this point, the federal government lawyer admitted that the AGF had been out of the country and as such, has not made the motion available to him.

After taking arguments for and against adjournment, Justice Chizoba Orji held that the proper thing was to shift trial to enable AGF respond to the motion in the interest of fair hearing.

The Judge subsequently fixed October 27 for Natasha’s motion to be heard along with the response of the AGF.

About two thousand sympathizers escorted the senator to court thereby giving security agents hectic job to control crowd and ward off security breaches.

Natasha’ was on Thursday, June 19, 2025 docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello.

She was put on trial by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) on three-count criminal charges bordering on harmful imputations during a television interview.

When the charges were read, she pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Justice Chizoba admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety in the like sum in the charge marked CR/297/25 filed on May 15, 2025.

The judge had held that the surety must be an owner of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Natasha was, in count one, accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, to kill her.

In count two, she was accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.

In count three, she was accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniobong.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has unsealed the office of Senator Natasha, granting her access to the the National Assembly six months after her suspension.