According to Ecobank Nigeria Limited, it has partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture to train and support 16,000 Nigerian youngsters on how to build wealth through agriculture.
Young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40, according to a statement from the bank, were the target audience for the program, which would also include important specialization areas including poultry, aquaculture, horticulture, and value addition.
The training was created for both digital and physical audiences and was divided into parts, according to Ms. Ayo Osolake, the bank’s Head of Public Sector and Agric Business, who announced the cooperation.
She claims that the first part, which will last four weeks, will be entirely online while the second phase, which will continue longer, will be a hybrid that includes both practical sessions and farm visits.
She said, “As a Pan-African institution, Ecobank, it is crucial for us to continue sowing the seeds of growth in the communities where we operate, particularly among young people who are the future of our country and in areas like agriculture that actually have an influence on the economy. In order to empower and provide young Nigerians with the necessary knowledge for success in agriculture, this is at the core of our relationship with IITA. Together, we are combining the full scope of our expertise.
Our dedication to assisting young people in generating wealth is strong, and we are eager to collaborate with like-minded players in various industries to support the aspirations of our youth.
According to Osolake, the initiative was created to broaden Nigerians’ access to agricultural prospects, particularly in terms of research, development, and wealth creation.
“This course is a terrific opportunity for anyone thinking about a career in agriculture. All attendees’ abilities will be enhanced by the carefully selected structure and areas of specialization.
“The course will also include all the necessary theoretical and practical components. Given that we have similar ideals, it is a joy to engage with a prestigious organization like the IITA on this, she said.
She stated that the training would provide a chance to gain knowledge of new technologies along the value chain of interest, as well as possibilities for coaching and mentoring, connections to financial resources, exposure to the creation of business plans, and loan applications.
She continued by saying that post-training support would be provided to strengthen start-up identity and market connections.
