FG, NANS partner to drive students’ empowerment

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development have agreed to partner on student empowerment and food security initiatives, with the ministry pledging grants, scholarships, and entrepreneurship support for students in agriculture and livestock value chains.

The agreement followed a courtesy visit by NANS leadership to the Minister of Livestock Development,
Idi Mukhtar Maiha in Abuja on Tuesday, as part of efforts to align student interests with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

The NANS delegation was led by National Financial Secretary, Alao John, and included National Public Relations Officer, Obidah David, Deputy Senate President, Ogabidu Caleb, and other student stakeholders.

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A major outcome of the meeting was NANS’ proposal for a first-of-its-kind National Students Livestock and Food Security Summit.

The summit, which is scheduled to hold in Abuja in September 2026, is themed: “Empowering Nigerian Students Through Livestock Development: Creating Jobs, Enhancing Food Security, and Driving National Growth in Line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

The event is expected to bring together policymakers, agricultural experts, development partners, industry stakeholders, and students to discuss solutions for food security and youth participation in agriculture.

NANS during the visit demands the annual scholarships for students studying Agriculture, Animal Science, and Veterinary Medicine, as well as research grants for innovative agricultural projects.

The students’ association body also presented a comprehensive proposal for a National Student Livestock Entrepreneurship Programme designed to equip students with practical skills in poultry farming, fish farming, goat and sheep rearing, dairy production, animal feed production, and other livestock value-chain opportunities.

In his remarks, Maiha welcomed the proposal and expressed the ministry’s willingness to participate, while also commending NANS for visionary leadership and initiatives that contribute to national development.

The minister highlighted opportunities available to students and young Nigerians, including livestock enterprise grants, annual scholarships for deserving students, research grants for undergraduate and postgraduate researchers, innovation support programmes, and women and youth empowerment initiatives.

He reiterated his commitment to supporting youth participation in livestock development.

Maiha stressed that Nigerian youths constitute a significant percentage of the population and must be actively engaged in productive sectors like agriculture.

He, however, urged students to identify opportunities within the livestock value chain, start with available resources, embrace innovation, and gradually scale ventures into sustainable businesses.

Speaking, the National financial secretary of the association, Alao, stated that the visit is also focused on modernizing the sector through technology-driven practices, improved animal management, feed production, dairy value-chain development, milk packaging, meat processing, and value addition to reduce production costs.

He described the engagement as another significant step in NANS’ commitment to advocating for policies, programmes, and partnerships that empower Nigerian students and contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development.

Also, during the visit, seek the collaboration of tertiary institutions for the establishment of livestock training centres, practical agricultural hubs, demonstration farms, and internship slots for students of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, and related disciplines.

“We recognize the importance of practical learning and capacity development. This initiative is intended to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical industry experience while preparing students to become active contributors to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation,” Alao stated.