Agrisiti Nigeria, in partnership with Tagdev 2.0 and the University of Port Harcourt, has launched a free 12-week programme to train 3,500 young Nigerians in agribusiness and climate-smart skills across seven states.
The initiative, which will run concurrently in Ogun, Enugu, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Kano, and Niger states, is targeted at youths aged 18 to 35, particularly out-of-school individuals and those enrolled in technical and vocational education and training. It is supported by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation.
According to a statement released by Agrisiti, the programme is designed to combine flexible digital learning with hands-on practical training. Participants will access mobile-first lessons via Telegram and the Agrisiti Digital Learning Platform, while also engaging in physical sessions at designated demonstration hubs across the participating states.
The training will focus on modern agribusiness practices, with specific attention to rice and aquaculture value chains, two sectors identified as critical to Nigeria’s food security and economic growth. Beyond technical skills, participants will also benefit from mentorship provided by industry experts, exposure to startup networks, and career readiness support, including internship pathways. Successful participants will receive digital certificates at the end of the programme.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Operating Officer of Agrisiti, Eneyi Ante, said the programme was developed to address barriers limiting youth participation in agriculture.
“Nigeria’s rice and aquaculture sectors hold immense potential, but many young people lack the training, mentorship, and access needed to participate meaningfully,” Ante said.
He added, “This programme equips them with practical, climate-smart skills to build sustainable agribusinesses or pursue career opportunities across these value chains.”
The organisers noted that while agriculture contributes about 15.4 per cent to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product, the sector continues to face challenges related to youth engagement, food insecurity, and limited access to modern farming knowledge.
Citing global data, Ante said, “An estimated 828 million people were undernourished in 2021, while more than 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet,” highlighting the urgency of building a more resilient and inclusive agricultural workforce.
The programme also seeks to reverse the growing disinterest among African youths in agriculture by strengthening entrepreneurial and employment pathways. Through mentorship, incubation opportunities, and access to networks, participants are expected to gain the skills and confidence needed to engage productively in the sector.
Agrisiti Nigeria, a digital agritech company, focuses on delivering integrated urban farming solutions, combining education, technology, and hardware systems such as aquaponics, hydroponics, and recirculating aquaculture systems to support sustainable food production.
