FCMB Backs Initiative Empowering Young Farmers through IITA-FMYD Land Investment Program

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The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), in partnership with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), has launched the National Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF).

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This initiative aims to improve land access and unlock opportunities for over 500,000 young Nigerians building sustainable agribusiness enterprises.

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Supported by First City Monument Bank (FCMB), the initiative addresses a major barrier for young agripreneurs, which is access to land.

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It also creates pathways for financing, enterprise development, job creation, and long-term economic growth.

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The programme was unveiled in Abuja earlier this week during a high-level gathering of government officials, development partners, financial institutions, youth organisations, and stakeholders from Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.

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The YiALTF creates a structured framework enabling young people to access land for productive agriculture. It also fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation across the value chain.

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Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative as a major step towards transforming youth participation in agriculture and positioning agribusiness as a key driver of economic empowerment.

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He stated: “We want to train more than six million Nigerian youths in the coming years. We want to support at least 500,000 youth-led agribusinesses and connect young Nigerians to local and international markets. Agriculture has the potential to create millions of jobs, improve food production, reduce poverty, and accelerate economic growth. However, access to land remains one of the biggest barriers confronting young people today, and this initiative seeks to address that challenge.”

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Representing FCMB at the event, the Divisional Head, Agribusiness and Non-Oil Export, Kudzai Gumunyu, reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that make agriculture more attractive, profitable, and financeable for young people.

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He stated: “The future of Nigerian agriculture depends on how well we structure financing and support systems around the realities of young people and the sector. Agriculture must be presented as a modern, technology-driven business offering opportunities in logistics, processing, commodity trading, mechanisation, digital platforms, and innovation.”

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Gumunyu noted that while young Nigerians have the creativity, energy, and technological adaptability to transform the sector, many lack access to the collateral and financial structures needed to secure funding.

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He highlighted FCMB’s ongoing efforts to support youth-focused innovation through its AgTech Aggregator Programme, which encourages young innovators to develop practical solutions to challenges within the agricultural value chain.

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He added, “Building the right ecosystem is critical. The future of Nigerian agriculture is young, climate-smart, market-driven, and innovation-enabled. To unlock its full potential, we must strengthen partnerships that improve access to finance, technical support, technology, and market opportunities.”

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The Federal Ministry of Youth Development and IITA commended FCMB and other partners for their support towards advancing youth empowerment and agricultural transformation in Nigeria.

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