By Brandon Moss

Nigeria’s Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security by partnering with Heifer International to support young entrepreneurs developing innovative agricultural technologies.

Speaking at the grand finale of the fifth Agriculture, Youth and Technology (AYuTe) Challenge in Abuja, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, said collaboration between government and development organisations is essential to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

He noted that while government policies are improving access to land, affordable finance and quality farming inputs, partnerships with organisations such as Heifer International are needed to help young innovators turn promising ideas into successful agribusinesses.

The minister said Nigeria must move beyond traditional subsistence farming and embrace technology-driven commercial agriculture capable of improving productivity, creating jobs and strengthening national food security.

This year’s AYuTe Challenge attracted more than 2,000 agritech innovations, with the top finalists showcasing digital solutions designed to improve farming efficiency, market access and agricultural value chains. Beyond financial grants, winners will receive business mentorship, investor connections and technical support to help scale their innovations.

Heifer International Nigeria Country Director, Dr Lekan Tobe, said the competition was created to encourage more young people to view agriculture as a modern, technology-focused career. Previous winners have successfully expanded their agribusinesses beyond Nigeria, demonstrating the growing potential of youth-led innovation.

The 2026 competition will award US$43,000 in prize funding, with the overall winner receiving US$20,000, while selected businesses will also benefit from long-term coaching and commercialisation support.

As Nigeria continues to prioritise agricultural transformation, initiatives such as the AYuTe Challenge are helping build a new generation of agritech entrepreneurs capable of improving productivity, increasing food security and driving sustainable economic growth across the country.