FG Launches “Green Money Project” to Empower Youths in Agriculture 

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

The Federal Government has officially inaugurated the Presidential Initiative for the Empowerment of Youth in Agriculture, known as “The Green Money Project” at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun state.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that during his speech at the inauguration held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Agriculture, Abiodun Yinusa, said that the Project would serve as a strategic initiative to boost food security and engagement of Nigeria youths in Agriculture.

Yinusa explained that it would harness Nigeria’s agricultural potential by empowering youth and leveraging the country’s rich resources and other untapped opportunities within the sector.

He further said that the initiative was in line with Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security, stating that, ”It complements the ongoing efforts of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, while encouraging collaboration among key stakeholders to involve youth more actively in agriculture."

The Presidential Aide outlined the nation’s challenges to include unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and the longstanding underutilisation of the agricultural sector by young Nigerians.

He reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu’s administration to empower and motivate youth to take a leading role in transforming agriculture.

In his words, ”In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the national emergency on food security, the initiative aims at empowering young Nigerians through agricultural development.

”The initiative will attract, train, and support youth by equipping them with knowledge in modern agricultural practices, mechanisation, climate-smart farming techniques, and digital technologies.

”The programme will be implemented across selected universities, youth development centres, and technical colleges nationwide, to contribute to the achievement of zero hunger in Nigeria,” hw added.

The Project Coordinator, Mr Charles Folayan, said that the project focused on data development, capacity building, resource support, mentorship, and market access.

In his own remarks, the Vice Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olushola Kehinde expressed appreciation to the presidency for choosing the institution as one of the partner institutions, describing the initiative as a timely and impactful intervention.

The vice chancellor expressed optimism that the partnership would significantly enhance the university’s capacity in food production and value chain development, given the university's previous track records of contributions to engagement of Nigerian youths in Agriculture and other agro-allied endeavours.