The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through the implementation of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP). Speaking at a high-level policy dialogue organized by the African Development Bank in Abuja, the Minister noted that NATIP is designed to modernize the agric ecosystem, promote mechanization and digital agriculture, and make farming more attractive—particularly to youth and women.
Senator Kyari explained that NATIP, alongside the newly launched National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM), is being implemented under the coordination of the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit. These initiatives aim to support young agripreneurs with not just credit, but also capabilities to scale their ventures. He emphasized the importance of setting clear annual lending targets for youth and women-led agribusinesses, while also expanding access to financing through practical guarantees and cash-flow-based support.
The Minister disclosed that the policies are already reaching over 250,000 farmers across several states, showing early signs of tangible impact. He also highlighted the importance of aligning these reforms with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which views food security and job creation as interdependent strategies for economic growth, national resilience, and reduced reliance on imports.
Kyari further announced that President Tinubu has approved the recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture with ₦1.5 trillion (about $1 billion), the largest injection into agricultural finance in Nigeria’s history. The move, he said, will reposition the Bank as a development-focused institution targeting climate-smart agriculture and agribusinesses led by youth and women ensuring they have the tools and financing to thrive.
