The Federal Government has assured South-South youths of improved access to funding for agribusiness projects through the Nigerian Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI).
South-South Coordinator of NAADI, Mr. Howard Usen, gave the assurance during the inauguration of the South-South Youth in Agriculture, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, in Uyo on Friday.
Usen said the initiative, in partnership with the Federation of Agricultural Communities of Nigeria, will help the newly inaugurated body establish governance frameworks and operational standards that meet global best practices.
“If you don’t have structure and good covenants, most organisations will not fund you. But once these structures are in place, it becomes easier for organisations and agencies to support and invest in you,” he stated.
He added that NAADI would also collaborate with expos and institutions to provide training for association executives in cooperative management, financial accountability, and UNIDO-aligned templates.
In his remarks, Head of Development Finance at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Uyo branch, Mr. Obinna Inyiama, highlighted the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme, which allows farmers to access up to N1 million loans through microfinance banks, with CBN guaranteeing 75% of the loan value.
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, commended the programme and pledged continued support through improved seedlings and technical assistance in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda on food security.
The event culminated in the inauguration of the state chapter executives, led by Mr. Sylvester Sunday, who pledged to mobilise young people across the state to embrace agriculture as a pathway to prosperity.
Stakeholders described the initiative as a new dawn for youths in the South-South, promising better access to credit, capacity building, and productivity enhancement in agriculture.
