Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called for increased investment in agricultural education, urging stakeholders to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge, tools, and financing necessary to drive innovation in agribusiness.
Speaking through her Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Michael Bawa, at the SAGE Nigeria 2025 National School Entrepreneurship and Awards in Abuja, the Minister emphasized the critical role of youth-led innovation in addressing food insecurity and transforming the agriculture sector.
Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Austine Elemue in a statement quoted her thus,
“With a blend of enterprise-driven education, access to funding, and innovation hubs, we can empower a new generation of agripreneurs,” Mahmoud said. “Our young people are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are the innovators of today.”
The event, themed “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Sustainable Agribusinesses and Food Security,” brought together educators, policy experts, student entrepreneurs, and development advocates. Mahmoud urged stakeholders to go beyond symbolic applause and turn their support into actionable policies and partnerships that support youth-driven agribusiness ventures.
Highlighting Nigeria’s growing challenges — including population pressure, climate change, and rural unemployment — the Minister asserted that young entrepreneurs hold the key to turning these hurdles into opportunities.
“The future of Nigeria’s food security lies in the hands of creative young minds. With the right tools, they can turn scarcity into abundance and make agriculture a sector of first choice, not last resort,” she said.
Dr. Mahmoud also spotlighted the use of emerging technologies — such as drones, mobile apps, AI, and blockchain — in revolutionizing farming practices, stressing the need for innovation hubs that foster collaboration among youth.
She praised SAGE Nigeria for its consistent record of excellence, noting its eight World Cup wins in the past 12 years. “This is proof of what Nigerian youth can achieve on the global stage when given the opportunity,” she said.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Agwu Amogu, National Chairman of SAGE Nigeria, described the programme as a celebration of teen entrepreneurs who have chosen creativity over complacency. He called on state governments to embrace entrepreneurship education as a core national development strategy.
“President Tinubu’s commitment to youth empowerment gives us hope,” Amogu said. “Let us expand this model to every secondary school across the country.”
Founded in 2002 at California State University, Chico, SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) has become a leading global platform for youth innovation. Since launching in Nigeria in 2006, it has empowered thousands of young people to transform their communities and contribute meaningfully to the national economy.