In a bold move to tackle youth unemployment and revive interest in agriculture, a Nigerian agribusiness firm, AgriNova Farms Ltd., has employed 1,250 young Nigerians across multiple states, offering them roles in modern farming, processing, and agritech services.
Announcing the development during a press briefing in Lagos, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Olayemi, said the initiative is part of AgriNova’s broader “Youth for Growth” programme aimed at engaging young people in productive agricultural activities while equipping them with marketable skills.
“This is not just job creation — it is capacity building,” Olayemi said. “We are opening the door for young people to see agriculture not as subsistence but as a profitable and sustainable business.”
The new recruits, aged between 18 and 35, have been placed in different units, including greenhouse operations, supply chain logistics, agri-processing centers, and digital monitoring of farm activities. According to the firm, the program targets youth in rural and peri-urban areas in Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Ekiti States.
In addition to employment, the firm will provide training in modern farming techniques, access to farm inputs, and mentorship from agricultural experts.
One of the beneficiaries, 23-year-old Grace Chukwu from Jos, expressed her excitement. “Before now, I was job-hunting for over a year. Today, I not only have a job but a career path in a growing sector,” she said.
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have lauded AgriNova’s effort, calling it a model for public-private collaboration in tackling unemployment and enhancing food security.
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development also pledged support for initiatives that provide employment while strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.
With the country’s agricultural sector offering significant untapped potential, efforts like AgriNova’s are seen as vital steps toward inclusive economic growth and long-term national development.
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