The Federal Government, in partnership with the Youth Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), has launched the ‘YEIDEP Global Donorship Drive and Fundraising Campaign’ to raise $2.5 billion for the implementation of the Cooperative Youth Farmers and Allied Entrepreneurs Programme (CYFAEP).
CYFAEP is a sub-scheme of the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP), a national youth empowerment initiative coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in collaboration with YOTSI and international development partners.
YEIDEP was established to tackle pressing socio-economic challenges in Nigeria, including youth unemployment, food insecurity, household poverty, economic exclusion, and radicalisation.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony on Monday, YEIDEP Coordinator-General, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, revealed that the programme has already registered approximately six million youths and young women. The long-term goal is to build a nationwide grassroots network of 20 million cooperative youth farmers and agro-allied entrepreneurs between 2025 and 2027.
According to Iyere, the programme aims to significantly reduce youth and women’s unemployment, boost food production, alleviate poverty, promote economic inclusion, and prevent radicalisation.
He noted that YEIDEP will provide financial, technical, training, mentorship, and other forms of support needed for young Nigerians to thrive in agriculture and agro-allied enterprises.
Iyere also disclosed that YEIDEP is working with eight commercial banks—Keystone Bank, Fidelity Bank, Lotus Bank, Union Bank, Wema Bank, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Providus Bank—which will warehouse, manage, and disburse funds for programme implementation.
“The launch of the YEIDEP Global Donorship Drive and Fundraising Campaign is a major milestone in addressing Nigeria’s critical challenges of chronic youth unemployment, economic exclusion, food insecurity, poverty, and radicalisation,” he said.
Iyere emphasised that the success of the campaign depends on the support of global donors, development partners, and contributions from Nigerians across federal and state governments, the private sector, captains of industry, and other stakeholders.
He added: “YEIDEP seeks to empower 20 million young Nigerians—both men and women—through entrepreneurship and self-employment, focusing on key sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, agritech, food and beverage, and renewable energy. This initiative will enhance job creation, food security, economic growth, and ultimately promote national stability and security.”
Iyere further warned of the risks of inaction: “The urgency of addressing chronic youth unemployment, food crises, and economic exclusion cannot be overstated. Nigeria remains a fragile state sitting on a keg of gunpowder.
If these problems are not urgently tackled, the consequences could be catastrophic. YEIDEP must be embraced and supported by all Nigerians, beyond political lines.”
