Victoria Mbangwa
In a bid to revolutionize farming through youth-driven innovation and sustainability, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has empowered 70 young farmers in Oyo State with eco-friendly inputs and modern equipment, positioning them as key players in Nigeria’s agricultural future.
Held at IITA’s Ibadan headquarters, the event featured the distribution of solar-powered irrigation systems, improved crop varieties, and resource-efficient farming tools reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainable agribusiness. The initiative is part of IITA’s Youth in Agribusiness Project, designed to foster climate-smart agriculture and youth entrepreneurship across Nigeria.
“Youth involvement in agribusiness has been the focus of IITA’s Youth in Agribusiness Office over the last decade. This initiative is important to us, as your businesses will scale up and create employment through expansion,” said Professor Michael Abberton, Head of IITA’s Genetic Resources Center.
The intervention builds on previous efforts in Abuja, Kano, and Ogun, and targets value chains such as cassava, poultry, aquaculture, and horticulture—sectors identified for high impact and scalability.
Aline Mugisho, CEO of IITA Youth Agripreneurs, represented by Business Development Expert Idowu Osun, noted the programme’s long-term strategy:
“We encourage you to take advantage of our coaching programmes and networking opportunities. Agribusiness is big business, and we are here to support you.”
Project Coordinator Adebayo Awotodunbo acknowledged the Kingdom of the Netherlands for its support, stressing accountability:
“Our monitoring and evaluation team will revisit your farms to assess how the inputs are being used. If they find you’ve sold the items, you’ll be removed from the scheme.”
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and combat youth unemployment, IITA’s model offers a blueprint for inclusive, sustainable growth powered by young innovators in agriculture.
