The Leonard and Nkiruka Okonkwo Foundation (LANOF), in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), has validated the revised National Youth Manifesto in Agriculture for the period 2025–2030.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also partnered in developing the manifesto, which serves as both an advocacy tool and an investment roadmap.
It aims to strengthen institutional collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, and youth networks across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the consultative forum on agroecological practices and the validation of the manifesto, Mrs Nkiruka Okonkwo, Co-Founder of LANOF, stated that the document reflects the real experiences, priorities, and aspirations of young people engaged in agriculture.
She explained that the manifesto seeks to influence national policy by advocating improved access to land, finance, knowledge, markets, and climate-resilient technologies, while also amplifying youth leadership in transforming Nigeria’s food systems.
According to her, reviewing the 2017 version of the manifesto was necessary to align it with current realities and the evolving needs of young people in the agricultural sector.
“The validation is intended to incentives the sector and enhance youth participation.“The revised manifesto was reviewed by LANOF, with support from HBF and endorsement from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.“
We are here to validate the National Youth Manifesto in Agriculture and the Nigerian Youth in Agribusiness Call to Action, which is modelled after the African Union Youth Agribusiness Call to Action,” she added.
Okonkwo outlined the manifesto’s objectives as providing a practical and comprehensive framework to guide youth participation across agricultural value chains.
She further noted that it advocates the integration of youth priorities into agricultural policies, and aims to expand access to youth-responsive financing mechanisms, including grants, loans, and impact investments.
Dr Saudatu Zahradeen, Gender, Youth and Nutrition Adviser with the Country Programme Advisory Team (CPAT) of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), said the forum was a step towards empowering youth as transformative agents in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
She commended the commitment of young agripreneurs, practitioners, policymakers, and development partners to co-create a future grounded in sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
“The Nigerian Youth in Agribusiness Call to Action and the revised manifesto are timely and visionary instruments that provide a roadmap for influencing policy, reforming institutions, and guiding programme implementation,” she said.
“Through IFAD’s country programmes such as the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), we remain committed to creating enabling environments where young people can thrive as entrepreneurs, leaders, and stewards of Nigeria’s agricultural future”.
Mr Donald Ofoegbu, Programme Manager at HBF, said the next phase would involve finalizing the document and presenting it to the Ministers of Agriculture, Youth and Sports, and Women Affairs.
He added that it would also be submitted to relevant National Assembly Committees, including those on Agricultural Production and Services.“We want young people to take ownership of this advocacy and use it to engage with their state and local governments.“
Beyond validation, we will be training young farmers in organic agriculture and agroecology, and enhancing agribusiness value chains to drive job creation.
“Partnership is essential to scaling youth participation in agribusiness, which in turn can significantly reduce unemployment and crime,” Ofoegbu said.
