Phillips Nto, Director of the Agribusiness Incubation Centre (ABIC) at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, has raised a red flag over Nigeria’s staggering N14 trillion annual loss to post-harvest mismanagement.
He made this known during a courtesy visit by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Abia State Chapter), led by its Chairman, Smith Silvernus.
Agriculture: A Goldmine for Nigerian Youth
Nto described agriculture as one of the most legitimate and untapped pathways for Nigerian youths to become billionaires. He urged them to fully embrace opportunities across the agricultural value chain — from processing and storage to logistics and product diversification.
“The next crop of millionaires and billionaires in Nigeria will be youth entrepreneurs who harness the immense potential of agribusiness,” he said.
The Cost of Inaction
Nto expressed concern that over N14 trillion is lost annually due to poor post-harvest management, a situation he believes can be reversed if more youths and investors explore innovative solutions like:
- Establishing preservation and storage businesses
- Setting up agro-processing plants
- Creating transport and distribution networks for farm produce
Incubating the Next Generation of Agripreneurs
Highlighting efforts to bridge the skills gap, Nto noted that the Federal Government has established Agribusiness Incubation Centres in select universities to offer hands-on training and practical knowledge for aspiring agripreneurs.
He lauded Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, for creating an enabling environment for ABIC to thrive, and commended the Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for their support through ongoing agro-processing zone projects nationwide.
Youths Must Also Lead in Policy
In addition to business, Nto encouraged young Nigerians to participate in local governance to influence agricultural policies directly.
“If young people stay away from local politics, they leave their future in the hands of those who may not understand or prioritize their interests,” he cautioned.
As Nigeria continues its quest for food security and economic diversification, experts like Nto believe the key lies in empowering its youth to lead the charge in agribusiness innovation.
