SAGE: Mahmoud Advocates Sustainable Agricultural Innovation Model In Nigeria

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud has advocated for a sustainable agricultural innovation model in Nigeria, through a new wave of investment in agricultural education.

Mahmoud stated this during the 2025 SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) Nigeria National School Entrepreneurship and Awards in Abuja.

The Minister, represented by her Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Michael Bawa, explained that such agricultural innovation model shoud be one that seamlessly marries rigorous theory with hands-on enterprise, while expanding young agripreneurs’ access to finance and modern tools.

He urged educators, mentors, policymakers, and stakeholders to move “beyond applause” and turn their praise into concrete action that accelerates youth-led innovation.

Mahmoud reminded the audience that Nigerian youths are “not just leaders of tomorrow but innovators of today,” asserting that their creativity and technological savvy can reshape agribusiness and safeguard the nation’s food security.

Under the theme “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Sustainable Agribusinesses and Food Security,” she called for youth-driven agripreneurship to sit at the heart of Nigeria’s response to mounting agricultural challenges, from rapid population growth and climate change to rural unemployment and food insecurity.

She proposed the creation of innovation hubs where young people can collaborate on cutting-edge, sustainable solutions.

Highlighting agriculture’s transformation, Mahmoud pointed to the rise of drones, mobile applications, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, which are redefining farming as a sector of opportunity rather than a last resort.

She hailed the young entrepreneurs present as “architects of Nigeria’s future,” capable of converting scarcity into abundance and dependency into sustainability.

Commending SAGE Nigeria for its “remarkable feat” of winning the SAGE World Cup eight times in the last 12 years, the Minister said, “this success underscores the exceptional potential of Nigerian youths on the global stage.”

In her view, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to overcome its agricultural hurdles by harnessing “the innovative energy of its young people.” She called on all stakeholders to believe in that power and pledge to build a nation “where no Nigerian goes hungry and every young mind finds opportunity in agriculture.”

Earlier, Mr. Agwu Amogu, National Chairman of SAGE Nigeria, celebrated the program as a showcase of young minds reshaping the future through creativity, innovation, and enterprise.

He lauded the bold teen entrepreneurs who chose action over apathy, seeing challenges not as obstacles but as openings for meaningful impact.

Expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to youth empowerment and innovation, Amogu appealed to state governments and other stakeholders to embed practical entrepreneurship education in their development strategies.

“Mr. President, your leadership offers hope to millions of young Nigerians. Let us work together to scale SAGE to every secondary school in Nigeria,” he stated.

Founded in 2002 at California State University, SAGE has since its 2006 launch in Nigeria, evolved into a powerful platform for youth empowerment, educational transformation, and community development.

Active in more than 32 countries, the program consistently ranks Nigeria among its top-performing nations.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji