By Emmanuella Oghenetega
Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the FCT Minister of State, has cited, the need for an increased investment in agricultural education that effectively blends theoretical knowledge with practical enterprise, alongside improved access to financing and tools for young agripreneurs.
She cited this, while delivering her message at the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) Nigeria 2025 National School Entrepreneurship, and Awards in Abuja.
The Minister, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Michael Bawa, urged educators, mentors, policymakers, and stakeholders to move beyond applause and translate their support into tangible actions that advance youth-led innovation, emphasizing, that Nigerian youths are not just leaders of tomorrow but innovators of today. This was contained in a statement signed by Austine Elemue
Special Adviser, Media to the Minister.
She also advocated for the establishment of innovation hubs where young people could collaborate on sustainable solutions to modern agricultural challenges.
She noted that their creativity and technological ingenuity holds 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.”
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.
She described the young entrepreneurs present as “architects of Nigeria’s future,” capable of turning scarcity into abundance and dependency into sustainability.
Earlier in his remarks, the National Chairman of SAGE Nigeria, Mr. Agwu Amogu, described the programme as a national celebration of young minds shaping the future through creativity, innovation, and enterprise.
SAGE was founded in 2002 at California State University, Chico, USA. Since its launch in Nigeria in 2006, it has become one of the most effective platforms for youth empowerment, educational transformation, and community development. The programme is now active in over 32 countries, with Nigeria standing out among the top-performing nations.
