The Federal Government through the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP), is set to launch a youth farmers enrollment portal.

This initiative aims to create millions of direct jobs for Nigerian youths across the agricultural value chain.

The portal unveiling ceremony, scheduled for January 17, 2025, in Abuja, will bring together diverse stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and youth organisations.

The event would mark a critical step in operationalising NIYEEDEP and transforming youth from job seekers into entrepreneurs.

This was disclosed during a courtesy visit by a delegation from NIYEEDEP led by the Coordinator-General, Comrade Kennedy Iyere to the Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande to discuss the programme’s progress and the upcoming portal launch.

The delegation included representatives from the American Grant Writers Association, Ms Staci Smith and Mr. Marc Paley; Bayern Munich Football Club, Victor Obinna Edeh; CEO of Top7 Orlando and a retired director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Onyeka Ogbu.

Speaking, Comrade Iyere emphasised that NIYEEDEP seeks to empower Nigerian youths to address key economic challenges, including high youth unemployment, food insecurity, and household poverty.

According to him, the program aims to create direct jobs in sectors such as agriculture, agro-allied industries, sports, technology, and the creative and digital economy.

In response, the Minister, Olawande commended the NIYEEDEP team for their excellent work and reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities to Nigerian youth, particularly in areas of capacity building, youth empowerment, skills training, and job creation.