FG trains retirees on agribusiness, entrepreneurship to boost food security

The federal government has trained 18 retired civil servants on entrepreneurship and agro-allied enterprise development as part of efforts to promote food sovereignty, job creation, and economic inclusivity.

The week-long programme, held at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Abuja, was the fifth edition of the Entrepreneurship Skills Development Workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary of the ministry, said the initiative was designed to equip retiring officers with the skills and practical knowledge needed to start and manage viable agribusinesses such as poultry, crop farming, and fishery.

“This programme will empower our retired officers to be independent and productive. It is part of our commitment to ensuring their welfare beyond active service,” Ogunbiyi stated.

He emphasised that the training aligns with the federal government’s broader agenda for food security, economic diversification, and poverty reduction, adding that the ministry aims to encourage staff to view agriculture not just as a government function but as a profitable business opportunity.

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“We are advancing the goals of FCSSIP 2025 through initiatives that promote staff welfare, lifelong learning, and sustainable livelihoods. Together, we can build a civil service that serves efficiently and empowers its officers to thrive beyond retirement,” he added.

Also speaking, Udo Effik, director, Reform Coordination, Service Improvement, and Innovation, said the programme supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on food sovereignty, job creation, wealth generation, and inclusivity.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Gani Garba a retired director in the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, commended the ministry for the initiative and pledged that the retirees would embrace agribusiness as a sustainable means of livelihood.

The event ended with the presentation of certificates and starter packs to the beneficiaries.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.