The National Assembly is working on a new bill titled the Equity Trust Fund, designed to improve access to funding for young Nigerians, particularly those venturing into entrepreneurship and agribusiness.
The proposed legislation aims to address long-standing barriers to capital, foster job creation, and stimulate inclusive economic growth.Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, revealed this during the National Young People's Dialogue on Inclusive Food Systems in Abuja.
The event was convened by ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with the Senate Committee and supported by the GIZ Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies programme.
According to Mustapha, the Equity Trust Fund will target Nigerians aged 25 and below, offering startup grants and business support to help them grow sustainable ventures. He emphasized that this initiative could help curb youth emigration, popularly referred to as the "japa syndrome," by creating better opportunities locally.
The senator also reiterated the importance of youth participation in agriculture as a strategic move to address an ageing farmer population, high unemployment rates, and the need for innovative solutions to climate and resource-related challenges. He called for deliberate policy reforms, increased training, and targeted investments in youth-led agribusinesses to unlock the sector's full potential.
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He added that by encouraging youth engagement in agriculture, the country can not only secure food production but also achieve broader goals such as poverty reduction, economic diversification, and rural development.
Azubike Nwokoye, Food Systems Specialist at ActionAid Nigeria, also spoke at the event, advocating for the Nigerian Youth in Agritech and Innovation Programme (NYATIP). The programme seeks to champion policy frameworks and initiatives that empower young Nigerians to create sustainable livelihoods within the agricultural sector.
Together, the proposed Equity Trust Fund and NYATIP initiative represent a coordinated effort to drive youth empowerment, innovation, and long-term transformation across Nigeria's agricultural and SME landscape.
