The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has disclosed that over 40,000 young Nigerians will benefit from Young Africa Works – a project training program with a special focus on skills development, decent employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities to secure work in agri-food value chains for the next five years.
It would be recalled that in May this year, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to start the Young Africa Works-IITA Project.
In a statement by IITA’s Head of Communication, Katherine Lopez, the Young Africa Works – IITA Project, has been launched through a call for application to young women and men between 18 and 35 years, living in Lagos, Kano, or Kaduna.
She said the training program would provide young people with the opportunity to grow their businesses, focusing on agribusiness development and mentoring on modern farming and value addition techniques.
“Through this project, young people will also be exposed to agriculture, product marketing skills, market linkages, and career orientation through job placements and internship opportunities.
Speaking about the importance of the project and the relevance of agriculture in creating opportunities for young people, Chidinma Lawanson, Country Head for Nigeria, Mastercard Foundation, said that agriculture is among the most viable potential sources of employment for young people in Africa.
“The Young Africa Works partnership with IITA will make the agricultural sector more attractive to young people, particularly women, by providing skills training in the agriculture value chain for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.”
