The federal government, through the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP), has announced January 17, 2025, as the date to launch the youth farmers’ enrollment portal.
This move aligns with the 24-month action plan to create 20 million jobs for Nigerian youths through an entrepreneurship revolution.
The NIYEEDEP scheme targets key sectors, including agriculture, agro-allied industries, food and beverage, technology, entertainment, and renewable energy, among others.
A sub-entrepreneurship intervention of the scheme, the “Youth Farmers’ Cooperative Scheme,” is also designed to create 12 million youth farmers within 24 months.
Highlighting progress made ahead of the launch, the National Coordinator of NIYEEDEP, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, informed the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, in Abuja that the portal will facilitate a seamless process for approval and grant allocation to qualified applicants.
Speaking to a delegation which had in attendance the American Association of Grants Writers, Mr. Marc Paley and Ms Staci Smith, African Representaives for Bayern Munich Football Club, Mr Victor Edeh, Iyere said the program would create direct jobs in key sectors of the economy.
“The programme seeks to empower young Nigerians by creating direct jobs in key sectors such as agriculture, agro-allied industries, technology, the creative economy, and sports,” he said.
“The portal, which will provide Nigerian youth with the opportunity to apply for agricultural grants and support, is expected to be unveiled on January 17, 2025, in Abuja,” he added.
Emphasizing the importance of the scheme’s success, the youth minister called for transparency in the process while urging the team to maintain authenticity in reaching the targeted audience.
He said, “Nigerian youth must see and feel the impact of this programme.”