Introduction Youth disengagement from the agricultural sector constitutes a significant challenge in Nigeria, jeopardizing prospective food security, rural advancement, and the viability of agricultural practices. Notwithstanding the fact that agriculture represents a substantial component of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the sector is plagued by adverse perceptions among the youth, insufficient integration within the industrial framework, and a disjunction between the educational curriculum in agriculture and the pragmatic demands of the industry. Materialsand methods/Methodology. A well-structured systematic review that searches across multiple databases was implored to scrutinizes the justification, current deficiencies, and potential ramifications associated with the implementation of a national policy that mandates internship and training initiatives within agricultural enterprises and organizations for Nigerian agricultural scholars. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken, encompassing scholarly articles, governmental publications, policy documents, and exemplary international practices concerning agricultural education, youth empowerment, and internship frameworks. The study utilized a thematic analysis methodology to integrate findings and formulate actionable policy suggestions. Results and discussion The results indicate a pronounced dissonance between agricultural education curricula and the actual requirements of the industry, with a scarcity of internship opportunities identified as a significant impediment. Furthermore, the review underscores the potential efficacy of such policies in alleviating graduate unemployment, augmenting skill acquisition, and promoting youth-driven agribusiness initiatives. The institutionalization of mandatory internship and training programs in agricultural enterprises should be integrated into Nigeria's agricultural and educational policy landscape. Such an initiative possesses the potential to transform the agricultural sector into an attractive and economically viable career pathway for the youth. Conclusions The paper advocates for the Nigerian government to embrace a multi-stakeholder approach that engages academia, industry, and policymakers in the execution of this initiative as an integral aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the broader national development strategy. Keywords: Youth in Agriculture, Internship Policy, SIWES, Hunger Alleviation, Sustainable Agriculture, Nigeria
Obi Godwin Chukwudi