The Youth Farmers Development Initiative Nigeria (YFDI Nigeria) has warmly congratulated Muhammad Babangida on his recent appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). The appointment by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has been described as a strategic move towards revamping Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
In a congratulatory letter signed by the Executive Director of the group,Nkereuwem Okon James, and the Director of Finance,Umar Madugu, the organization praised the appointment as “a testament to Alhaji Babangida’s distinguished pedigree, visionary leadership, and professional excellence.”
The youth-oriented non-profit, dedicated to empowering the next generation of Nigerian farmers, lauded the appointment as timely and deeply symbolic of the Federal Government’s commitment to agriculture as a bedrock for national development and food security.
“We are confident that your leadership will usher in innovative policies and youth-targeted financing mechanisms that will unlock the vast potential of our young farmers across rural and peri-urban communities,” the letter stated.
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote agricultural education and engagement among young Nigerians, YFDI Nigeria also announced that it has embarked on the establishment of School Farms in selected secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory and Akwa Ibom State.
This initiative is being executed through the revival of Young Farmers Clubs in partnership with Madox Agro Equipment Services Limited, which is providing handy tools and agricultural equipment.
The beneficiary schools include:
Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo;
Government Boys Secondary School, Apo;
Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, as well as Maitama
Excellence College, Ikot Unya in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
This initiative aims to stimulate interest in agriculture among schoolchildren, develop practical agronomic skills, and lay a foundation for sustainable food production and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.
YFDI also expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Bank of Agriculture under Babangida’s chairmanship in the following strategic areas:
Access to credit for youth-led agribusinesses,
Agricultural education and mentorship programmes, including the
Deployment of agri-tech for improved productivity,
Rural outreach and capacity-building initiatives.
The organization concluded by wishing Babangida a successful and impactful tenure, affirming its support in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural revolution through youth engagement, innovation, and inclusive development
