By Abdullahi Lukman
In a powerful show of youth leadership, the Nigerian Government, in partnership with the Leonard and Nkiruka Okonkwo Foundation (LANOF), Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), and other stakeholders, has launched a revised National Youth Manifesto in Agriculture (2025–2030)— a bold declaration positioning young Nigerians at the heart of agricultural policy and transformation.
Unveiled alongside the 2025 Nigerian Youth in Agribusiness Call to Action during a ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, the manifesto is not just another policy document — it’s a youth-owned blueprint designed by the youth and for the youth, aimed at building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Mrs. Safina Abdullah described the manifesto as a turning point: a practical strategy that places young people in the driver’s seat of Nigeria’s food systems.
She emphasized that the ministry is committed to ensuring the call to action leads to real-world investment, not just rhetoric.
At the core of the manifesto are eight priorities, including climate-resilient farming, youth-responsive finance, agritech innovation, market access, land availability, and inclusive governance.
The manifesto also integrates Nigeria’s national agricultural frameworks and aligns with broader African Union strategies.
But what makes this initiative stand out is its bottom-up design: it was co-created by young people across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. According to LANOF Co-Founder Nkiruka Okonkwo, this isn’t just policy — it’s a movement.
“The strength of this manifesto lies in its co-creation by youth. It reflects our aspirations, our solutions, and our leadership,” she said.
Sophie von Knebel, Country Director of HBF, praised the initiative as a model for inclusive policymaking.
“This document is youth-owned, and that is its power,” she said, calling on young Nigerians to take full ownership of the process and reshape agriculture into a thriving enterprise space.
Blessing Akhile of ActionAid Nigeria also welcomed the unveiling, calling it a “heartwarming moment” that shows a clear shift towards inclusive agricultural governance.
With Nigeria’s youth population rapidly growing, this manifesto comes at a crucial time.
It offers more than promises — it presents a clear, actionable roadmap that, if fully implemented, could redefine farming in Nigeria from a last resort to a first-choice career.
By stepping out of the margins and into the center of agricultural reform, Nigeria’s youth are not waiting for the future — they’re building it.
