Green Money Project : Empowering youths in agriculture – FG
The Federal Government has extended its partnership on the Presidential Initiative for Youth Empowerment in Agriculture, known as the Green Money Project, to the University of Ilorin as part of its broader national food security agenda.
The Green Money Project, a strategic Presidential Initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through youth empowerment, innovative farming techniques, value-chain enhancement, and sustainable agribusiness was earlier on inaugurated at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on the 22nd of April, 2025.
The initiative, driven under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, berthed on FUNAAB campus with a delegation led by the Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Food Security, Honourable Abiodun Yinusa.
Addressing the University Management, Hon. Yinusa commended FUNAAB’s excellence in agricultural training and research. “With what we’ve seen here today, FUNAAB is clearly leading the way. We are proud of your work, and President Tinubu is committed to supporting you,” he said.
He underscored the importance of investing in youth through agriculture, describing students as key drivers of the nation’s future. He further assured that the Green Money Project was a genuine, non-political programme designed to deliver tangible benefits. “Beneficiaries, especially students, will earn directly from farm activities. This is about empowerment, not politics,” he emphasised. Hon. Yinusa said, the Green Money Project will be launched in other tertiary institutions in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, expressed the University’s readiness to embrace the project. “We are delighted to be part of this visionary initiative. FUNAAB has the facilities, expertise, and willpower to deliver results,” he said.
Prof. Kehinde highlighted the University’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment through research-driven agriculture and entrepreneurship, adding that the Green Money Project aligned seamlessly with FUNAAB’s core mission.
According to him, the University is poised to produce graduates who are not just employable, but also job creators in the agricultural space.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi; the Registrar, Dr. Titus Adeniyi; and the University Librarian, Prof. Abayomi Owolabi. The Green Money Project delegation included Mr. Charles Folayan, Project Coordinator; Engr. Hakeem Olugbode, Special Assistant to the SAP-Agriculture and Co-Project Coordinator; Prof. Musa Ahmed, Project Consultant; Honourable Taiwo Abdul-Liad; Mr. Lawal Alade; Mrs. Temitope Ande; Mr. Buhari Hussaini, and Mr. Sunkanmi Olugbode.
The event featured a comprehensive tour of the University’s agricultural and processing facilities, including the Directorate of University Farm’s Groundnut Field, Fish Hatchery, Cattle and Crop Production Units, Palm Oil and Palm Wine Processing Units, FPY Demonstration Farms, and the 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Station.
Speaking during the visit at university of ilorin, representative of the Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture, Engr. Hakeem Olugbode, said the project marks the unveiling of a national vision inspired by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, this vision prioritizes food security, youth empowerment and the transformation of Nigeria’s economy through sustainable, green initiatives.
“This is a call to action and a strategic effort to revolutionize agriculture by placing youth at the forefront.
“We aim to redefine agriculture as a field driven by innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Our universities must serve as hubs for this transformation”, he said.
He stated that the university of Ilọrin is a natural partner for the Green Money Project because of its longstanding commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and national development.
“As we implement this initiative across all six geopolitical zones, our goal is to equip each region and participating institution with the tools, training, and resources required to drive sustainable agricultural innovation,” he added.
Read also: FG empowers 4,000 FCT farmers to boost food production
The project coordinator, Mr. Charles Olufemi Folayan, in his remarks, explained that the Green Money Project aims to attract, train, and empower young Nigerians by enhancing their skills in modern agriculture.
“This included mechanization, climate-smart farming, and digital technologies to foster growth of agribusiness across the nation.
He noted that the initiative is a collaborative effort with key federal ministries, departments, and agencies, in partnership with NGOs, donor organizations, corporate bodies, and international development partners.
Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole, for his part, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to youth development, particularly through entrepreneurship and agriculture-focused training.
He stated that the university is fully prepared to partner with the Federal Government on the initiative adding that the collaboration will significantly enhance capacity, increase food production, and contribute meaningfully toward achieving the initiative’s zero hunger mandate.
Professor Musa Ahmed, the project consultant assured the University that the project implementation model would add great value to food security drive of the current administration.
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