The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Youth Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), has officially launched the YEIDEP Global Donorship Drive for 2025. The goal is to raise $2.5 billion to fund the Cooperative Youth Farmers and Allied Entrepreneurs Programme (CYFAEP).
This initiative is a component of the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP)—a national strategy managed by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in partnership with YOTSI and international stakeholders.
Contents
Programme Objectives
The CYFAEP Global Fund targets economic challenges facing Nigerian youth and families, specifically:
- Youth unemployment
- Household food insecurity
- Rising poverty rates
- Lack of access to entrepreneurship opportunities
- Vulnerability to extremist recruitment
Progress and Targets
According to YEIDEP National Coordinator, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, the programme has already enrolled nearly 6 million young Nigerians, with plans to scale participation to 20 million by 2027. The target population includes young men and women from all six geopolitical zones.
Beneficiaries will receive support to engage in agriculture, small-scale enterprise, and vocational development. The aim is to enhance food production, increase household income, and reduce economic vulnerability.
Fund Administration and Participating Banks
The $2.5 billion fund will be safeguarded and disbursed by eight financial institutions that have partnered with the initiative:
- Keystone Bank
- Fidelity Bank
- Lotus Bank
- Union Bank
- Wema Bank
- Zenith Bank
- GTBank
- Providus Bank
These banks will provide transparent fund management, monitor disbursement processes, and ensure accountability in the delivery of support to youth beneficiaries.
Funding Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement
The YEIDEP leadership has emphasized the need for broad-based funding support. Contributors are expected from:
- International donor agencies
- Federal and state governments
- Private sector organizations
- High-net-worth individuals
- General public donors
Key Focus Areas of the Programme
CYFAEP will channel funds and resources toward sectors with high-impact potential, including:
- Agriculture and agri-business
- Food processing and packaging
- Agritech and digital farming
- Solar energy and clean-tech enterprises
- Local manufacturing of food products and beverages
These sectors have been identified as strategic for job creation, rural development, food security, and economic inclusion.
Conclusion
The $2.5 billion CYFAEP Global Fund represents a comprehensive national effort to reduce unemployment, support entrepreneurship, and improve economic resilience among Nigerian youths and women. With the involvement of government institutions, the private sector, and development partners, YEIDEP aims to build sustainable livelihoods and promote national stability.
