The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a hands-on training programme for young people in crop production under the IDEAS-TVET initiative, aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education and boosting employability across the agricultural sector.
The initiative, supported by the World Bank, is part of the government’s broader effort to promote innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth through skills development.
Under the programme, JOLAP Business Ventures Nigeria Limited has been contracted to train 200 youths in Ibadan, Oyo State, in partnership with Hort Consultancy Ventures Limited, a subsidiary of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT). The training is designed to equip participants with practical agricultural and agribusiness skills to improve livelihoods, encourage self-employment, and support food security.
Speaking at the official launch in Ibadan, the Training Project Manager, Gabriel Oyedola, described the programme as a major step toward youth empowerment and enterprise creation. “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards empowering 200 youths with skills and knowledge in crop production. I am confident that through this programme, our participants will gain valuable insights and skills that will empower them to become successful entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Oyedola noted that the training team comprises experienced professionals who will guide and mentor participants throughout the programme to ensure strong practical outcomes.
Representing the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS Project, Blessing Ogwu, Mr. Akintunde Babatunde emphasised that the initiative was part of a long-term plan to transform Nigeria’s technical and vocational education landscape. “Today’s event represents far more than a training launch—it is a renewed commitment to transforming Nigeria’s skills ecosystem. The IDEAS Project is a strategic intervention to strengthen technical and vocational education and training institutions, enhance employability, and stimulate economic growth through innovation, productivity, and inclusiveness,” he said.
Addressing the trainees, Ogwu urged them to embrace the opportunity with focus and discipline. “The knowledge and practical competencies you will gain here are not just skills,they are tools for independence, creativity, and nation-building. IDEAS–TVET is designed to give you the edge to compete, innovate, and lead,” she said.
The Executive Director of NIHORT, Professor Muhammed L. Attanda, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment as host for the training, noting that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to achieve food sufficiency and youth inclusion. He said NIHORT would continue to provide the expertise, infrastructure, and technical support necessary for the programme’s success.
The IDEAS-TVET crop production training is part of ongoing efforts to make agriculture more attractive to young Nigerians, create jobs, and open opportunities for small-scale agribusinesses to thrive within the evolving food value chain.
