NIGERIAN YOUTH PREFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE AS A CAREER CHOICE

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1. Department of Agriculture 
2. Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension 
3. Department of Agricultural Education 

TOPIC: NIGERIAN YOUTH PREFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE AS A CAREER CHOICE

TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms    
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Summary of Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Sample Size
3.3 Sampling Technique
3.4 Instrument for Data Collection
3.5 Validity of Instrument
3.6 Reliability of Instrument
3.7 Method of Data Collection
3.8 Method of Data Analysis
3.9 Ethical Consideration
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Demographic Analysis    
4.3 Analysis of Research Question One: What are the common perceptions and attitudes of Nigerian youths toward farming as a career?    
4.4 Analysis of Research Question Two: Which social factors exert the strongest influence on youths’ willingness to engage in farming?
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary of the Study
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Limitations of the Study
5.5 Recommendations
5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies
References
Appendix

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to assess Nigerian youths’ preference on agriculture as a career choice using University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka as a case study. The study was specifically carried out to examine the perceptions and attitudes of Nigerian youths toward farming as a career option, examine the effect of social factors such as family, education, culture, peers, and media on youths’ career choices toward agriculture, examine the influence of gender, place of residence, and family socio-economic status on youths’ interest in agriculture, assess the effectiveness of government youth agriculture programmes and media campaigns on changing youths’ attitudes toward farming, and identify practical strategies that can encourage Nigerian youths to pursue modern farming and agribusiness. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The study population comprised 842 undergraduate students from the departments; Fisheries and Aquaculture, Botany, and Marine Sciences in University of Lagos, while a total of 271 respondents were selected as sample size using the Taro Yamane formula. Out of the 271 questionnaires distributed, 263 were returned and 245 were validated for analysis. The questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, mean scores, multiple regression analysis, and correlation analysis with the aid of SPSS version 25. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that Nigerian youths have positive perceptions and attitudes toward agriculture as a career option, with agriculture seen as profitable, respectable, and contributing to national development, with mean scores above 3.0. The study also showed that social factors such as family, education, culture, peers, and media have a significant influence on youths’ career choices toward agriculture at R² = 0.551, F = 62.914, P = .000. Likewise, gender, place of residence, and family socio-economic status were found to have a significant influence on interest in agriculture at R² = 0.475, F = 72.306, P = .000. Government youth agriculture programmes and media campaigns were also found to have a significant positive effect on youths’ attitudes toward farming at r = 0.427, t = 7.37, P = .001. The study concluded that Nigerian youths generally hold positive perceptions toward agriculture, while social and demographic factors significantly shape their career preferences, and government programmes and media campaigns contribute meaningfully to attitude change, though with implementation challenges. The study therefore recommends that government and stakeholders should strengthen agricultural education, improve access to funding, enhance media campaigns, and expand practical agribusiness training programmes to encourage greater youth participation in modern agriculture.
Keywords: Nigerian Youths, Agriculture, Career Choice, Social Factors, Agribusiness, Agricultural Programmes.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background of the Study
Agriculture is still an integral part of the socio-economic development of many countries because of its role in food production, employment, provision of raw materials for industries, and rural development. In the developing economies, agriculture has been a mainstay of livelihoods and national income, despite the rapid technological and industrial transitions that have taken place. Based on Agricultural Economics, the contribution of the agriculture sector in improving agricultural human welfare and stability by using natural and human resources in an efficient and effective manner is strategic. Agriculture also provides a cultural and social framework that influences lifestyle and relations within communities in many African nations. In the emerging economies, agriculture is still a key driver in the process of economic diversification and national productivity as noted by Osabohien et al. (2021). Likewise, Ephrem et al. (2021) noted that the growing awareness of food insecurity throughout the world has put a greater emphasis on the role of agriculture in the lives of younger people. The widespread impact of agriculture has inspired the Government, educational institutions and development organisations to advocate for agricultural engagement of youth as a means to sustainable national development and economic resilience.
The growing attention given to youth participation in agriculture is associated with the recognition of youths as vital contributors to national productivity and innovation. Youth make up a large share of the active labour force in the country and are endowed with energy, creativity, and adaptability to enable agricultural transformation. Agriculture as a career choice is the conscious choice of people to do occupations, enterprises, business engagements or professions based on cultivation of plants, rearing of animals, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural technology, food production and all allied careers. The preference of a profession among youths is sometimes determined by their educational exposure, environmental orientation, social values and the perception of opportunities in the profession (Akaninyene et al., 2022). Conversely, Luka et al. (2023) reported that agriculture has become a diversified profession, practiced increasingly as a mechanized, innovative, entrepreneurial and digital activity. This shift has helped to reshape the attitudes of young people towards farm-related work. Nnamani and Obediah (2023) also noted that the modern farming operations now combine scientific knowledge and management skills to create agriculture as an active and professionally rewarding industry for the youth to engage in.
Agriculture has been a subject of academic and policy interest among the Nigerian youths due to its strategic role in the economy. Nigeria has tremendous agricultural potentials and favourable climate conditions and a vast youthful population to fuel agricultural growth for food sustainability. Ikuemonisan (2024) cited that individual preferences, education, family orientation, exposure to media and societal expectation on the prestige of agricultural professions influence youth preference on agriculture. Moreover, Daudu et al. (2023) observed that the agricultural education and extension programme have made tremendous impact in enhancing awareness of agricultural opportunities among the youths in Nigeria. Okoronkwo et al. (2024) also claimed that the modernisation of agricultural technologies and practices through innovation and the development of agribusinesses have slowly affected the attitudes of the youth towards agricultural careers. In the same vein, Igene et al. (2025) attributed that agriculture has emerged beyond the traditional farming or agriculture sector to include fields like food processing, marketing, biotechnology, agricultural finance etc and hence expanding the career opportunities for Nigerian youth.
There is a renewed relevance of the interest of Nigerian youths in Agriculture as a career option in the light of national development aspiration and economic sustainability in Nigeria. Youth preference in this context is a level of interest, liking or desire to pursue agricultural-related careers as long-term occupations. Ajuwon et al. (2025) noted that the engagement of young people in agriculture not only helps in food production but also stimulates employment opportunities, rural transformation and national economic development. The knowledge has been promoted to allow youth to have an ongoing discussion about the importance of the role of educational institutions, government programmes, and societal orientation in shaping youth agricultural career tendencies. Agriculture, as a major occupation of livelihood and economic activities in Nigeria, is still a subject that attracts the attention of researchers and policy makers in the country, especially when it comes to the orientation of the youths towards being practitioners of the profession. Therefore, a study of youth preference for agriculture as a career choice is important as a yardstick in understanding the changing relationship between youth and agriculture in the modern society of Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
Despite its contribution to food production, employment generation and national development, agriculture still plays a significant role in the socio-economic fabric of Nigeria. The sector also offers opportunities to the youth for entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable livelihood. Agriculture has a huge potential for economic diversification and productivity improvement in developing economies, according to Osabohien et al. (2021). Similarly, Akaninyene et al. (2022) reported that youths are the active and productive group of people who can contribute meaningfully to agricultural transformation if they are well motivated and oriented towards the sector. Greater professionalization of agriculture and the growth of agribusiness activities have also led to greater job opportunities in agriculture. Thus, the orientation of the youth towards agriculture becomes critical in assessing the sustainability and continuity of the sector in the changing Nigerian socio-economic set-up.
Many youths in Nigeria consider agriculture as their career but the level of preference for agriculture among them seems somewhat inconsistent with the increasing opportunities available within the sector, despite its strategic importance. Youth are expected to be interested in agricultural careers to a big extent due to the role and contribution of the sector to national development, employment and economic sustainability. However, recent observations show that many young people are looking at other choices of career than agriculture, and that in some cases agricultural career is not regarded as as desirable as other careers. Luka et al. (2023) found that a change of societal values and perceptions of occupations can have a significant impact on youth career choices. Likewise, Ikuemonisan (2024) reported that there are factors influencing the willingness of youths to choose careers in agriculture which include educational exposure, environmental orientation and social perception. This has raised a concern about the availability of the youthful labour force in Nigeria for the continuity of agriculture and innovation.
While some studies have explored the participation of young people in farming and the development of agriculture in Nigeria, little research has focused on the preferences of the Nigerian youths towards pursuing agriculture as a future career. Previous research has focused more on the productivity of agriculture, rural development and government intervention programs with less focus on the factors influencing youth decision making to choose an agricultural career. Agricultural awareness and educational orientation were stressed by Daudu et al. (2023) to influence the participation of the youths, and the transformation of agriculture to a modern profession with the use of technology by the youths was emphasized by Okoronkwo et al. (2024). However, empirical knowledge of how Nigerian youths see agriculture as a good profession in the current socio-economic environment is still inadequate. The study therefore aims to investigate the preference of youths of Nigeria towards agricultural career choice to provide useful information that can contribute to agricultural development and youth career orientation in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to assess Nigerian youth preference on Agriculture as a career choice. Specifically, the study seeks:
1. To explore Nigerian youths’ perceptions and attitudes toward farming as a career option.  
2. To identify the key social factors (family, education, culture, peers, and media) influencing their career choices.  
3. To examine how gender, rural/urban residence, and family socio-economic status affect interest in agriculture.  
4. To assess the effectiveness of government youth agriculture programmes and media campaigns in changing youths’ attitudes.  
5. To recommend realistic strategies to encourage Nigerian youths to pursue modern farming and agribusiness.
OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of career choice, the concept of agriculture as a career, Nigerian youths’ preference for agriculture as a career choice, factors influencing youths’ career choices in agriculture, challenges affecting youths’ interest in agriculture, etc. The chapter covers the following subheadings:
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises all undergraduate students in the Departments of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Botany, and Marine Sciences at the University of Lagos.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 298 participants.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select the individual respondents.
Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire titled “Youth Preference on Agriculture as a Career Choice” as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses. Inferential statistics, such as multiple regression and Chi-square, were used to test the hypotheses.

CHAPTER FOUR; DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made:

i. The study found that Nigerian youths generally possess positive perceptions and favourable attitudes toward farming as a career choice, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.81 to 4.13, all above the criterion mean of 2.50. The highest mean score of 4.13 indicated that respondents recognized agriculture’s meaningful contribution to national development.

ii. The study found that social factors significantly influence Nigerian youths’ willingness to engage in farming, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.76 to 4.12. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed an R-value of 0.742, R-square value of 0.551, F-value of 62.914, and p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

iii. The study found that gender, place of residence, and family socio-economic status significantly influence Nigerian youths’ interest in agriculture as a career choice, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.81 to 4.16. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed an R-value of 0.689, R-square value of 0.475, F-value of 72.306, and p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. 

iv. The study found that government youth agricultural programmes and media campaigns have positively influenced Nigerian youths’ attitudes toward farming and agribusiness, although challenges such as poor implementation, low awareness, and limited access to agricultural loans and grants remain. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.427, t-value of 7.37, and p-value of 0.001 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

v. The study found that financial support, access to modern farming technology, practical agricultural training, subsidised farm inputs, mentorship programmes, improved access to land, and greater public recognition of agriculture are essential strategies for encouraging Nigerian youths to pursue farming and agribusiness as career options. This was evidenced by mean scores ranging from 4.04 to 4.20, with the provision of financial support recording the highest mean score of 4.20. 

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary of the Study
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Limitations of the Study
5.5 Recommendations
5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies

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