By Justina Auta
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s agribusiness sector have pledged their commitment to strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships for youth skills development and inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.
Mr Sadiq Rabiu, Special Assistant to the President on Capacity Development, (OSAP-CD) said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja after receiving United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) delegation.
L-R: Ms. Mercedes Alfa, Chief of Strategy and Partnerships, OSAP-CD; Mr. Sadiq Rabiu, Special Assistant to the President on Capacity Development; Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO of ASR Africa; Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto, UNITAR Director, Division for Prosperity
The UN delegation arrived from Geneva, Switzerland to meet with key stakeholders in Nigeria.
The stakeholders, while committing to collaborate on the Prosperity Futures Initiative (PFI), reiterated their commitment towards improving Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
Rabiu, said the initiative would empower Nigeria’s agripreneurs to thrive in modern agriculture and value chain management.
“The initiative aims to develop a pipeline of agripreneurs equipped with the technical, entrepreneurial, and digital skills to thrive in modern agriculture and value chain management.
“Through UNITAR’s collaboration, we aim to establish structured pathways linking training to finance, ensuring that youths trained under this partnership framework can access support mechanisms for business expansion,” he said.
He also said the visit would advance preparations for the official inauguration of PFI and for the rollout of the pilot phase that combines digital learning, expert-led in-person sessions, and community-based entrepreneurship support.
He assured that partnerships such as that would translate into sustainable opportunities for Nigeria’s youth, contributing to national prosperity through agribusiness innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
“The discussions highlighted a shared vision to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports agricultural innovation, enterprise development, and employment creation for young Nigerians,” he said.
Ms Mihoko Kumamoto, Director, Division for Prosperity, UNITAR, described Nigeria as a nation brimming with promise and reiterated the body’s commitment to improving its Nigeria’s sector.
“We are proud to support the people of Nigeria, especially youth, women, and persons with disabilities, in unlocking their full potential and forging successful paths in the agricultural sector,” she said.
The PFI aims to empower youth, women and persons with disabilities, while strengthening local agricultural institutes across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The programme seeks to advance digital agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and institutional capacity building, with particular focus on inclusion. (NAN)
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