The Niger government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Ministry of Youths Development to support food security by engaging corps members posted to the state in agricultural activities.

The signing of the MoU took place at the Government House in Minna on Tuesday. Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago signed for Niger, while the Minister for Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, signed for the ministry.

The governor said the MoU aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for food security in Nigeria, adding that it will partner NYSC in youth empowerment and food production.

Mr Umaru-Bago, who said that youth make up 80 per cent of Nigeria’s population, called on them to venture into agriculture to enable them to become self-reliant.

He explained that the partnership would enable the state to leverage the added manpower that the corps members represent, adding that the agricultural value chain was huge. Hence, more professionals would be needed in the state.

The governor said the state was determined by its agricultural revolution. It is building the largest greenhouse estate in Africa, with the capacity to employ a million people.

He also disclosed that the state was creating 100 farm estates, with 250,000 hectares of land currently being cultivated across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Earlier, Mr Bio-Ibrahim said the ministry agreed to partner with the state on agriculture because, given the present economic changes, this would allow the NYSC to become self-sustaining.

She commended the governor for his readiness to commit huge funds for the construction of a befitting permanent NYSC camp in the state and all his efforts to ensure the corps members’ well-being.

(NAN)