By Stanley Onyekwere
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called for increased investment in agricultural education that effectively blends theoretical knowledge with practical enterprise, alongside improved access to financing and tools for young agripreneurs.
She also advocated for the establishment of innovation hubs where young people could collaborate on sustainable solutions to modern agricultural challenges.
Delivering her message at the occasion of Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) Nigeria 2025 National School Entrepreneurship and Awards in Abuja, the Minister urged educators, mentors, policymakers, and stakeholders to move beyond applause and translate their support into tangible actions that advance youth-led innovation.
Mahmoud, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Tpl. Michael Bawa, emphasized that Nigerian youths are not just leaders of tomorrow but innovators of today.
She noted that their creativity and technological ingenuity hold the key to transforming agribusiness and securing Nigeria’s food future.
Speaking on the theme “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Sustainable Agribusinesses and Food Security,” the Minister stressed the urgent need to empower youth-driven agripreneurship as a core solution to the country’s evolving agricultural challenges.
She commended SAGE Nigeria for its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial ambition, noting its remarkable feat of winning the SAGE World Cup eight times in the last 12 years.
According to her, “this success underscores the exceptional potential of Nigerian youth on the global stage.”
The Minister observed that Nigeria’s development is being shaped by complex forces, including rapid population growth, climate change, rural unemployment, and food insecurity.
However, she maintained that the country is uniquely positioned to overcome these challenges through the innovative energy of its young people.
Highlighting the transformative power of modern agriculture, Mahmoud pointed to the growing role of technologies such as drones, mobile apps, blockchain, and artificial intelligence in revolutionizing farming practices—turning agriculture into a sector of opportunity, not of last resort.
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