The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated its commitment to provide more loans to the youth.

Godwin Emefiele, urged youths to embrace agriculture, declaring the bank’s readiness to support them that are willing to engage in agriculture. The governor reiterated the bank’s opposition to the importation of maize.

Emefiele made the declaration in Katsina, during the unveiling of the first maize pyramid and kick-off of the maize wet season farming under the CBN-Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

He expressed belief that  youths could leverage their talents, along with technological tools to improve farm productivity and delivery of agricultural produce to markets.

Noting that agriculture offered significant benefits for the youth, Emefiele reiterated that the bank had put in place several measures to improve access to credit for youths interested in Agriculture under the Anchor Borrowers Programme and the AgriBusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS).

“The CBN will not only provide access to credit for these youths but will also provide guarantees that their produce will be purchased by a prime anchor at agreed prices,” the Governor assured.