The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), through its Youth in Agribusiness (YAS) programme, has partnered with Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, to equip students with practical agribusiness skills that can be scaled into startups, promoting entrepreneurship and reducing graduate unemployment.
The collaboration focuses on moving students beyond theoretical learning into hands-on agricultural business training. The aim is to help them see agriculture not just as farming, but as a complete business system with strong income potential.
A delegation from IITA visited the university to formally introduce the initiative and engage with both management and students. Speaking during the visit, Mr. Idowu Osun, Business Development Officer for the YAS programme, explained that the programme is designed to reshape how young people view agriculture.
He said, “Agribusiness is not just about planting and harvesting. It is about identifying opportunities across the value chain and turning them into profitable ventures.”
According to him, the programme will expose students to modern agricultural practices, business development strategies, and market-driven thinking. He stressed that with the right mindset and training, students can build scalable enterprises even before graduation.
The Vice-Chancellor of ACU, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, welcomed the partnership and described it as timely. She noted that the university is committed to initiatives that empower students with practical skills.
“I am glad that you’ve come not just to sensitise but to make our job easy,” she said. “Our goal is to keep our students productively engaged and prepare them for life after school.”
Students of the Faculty of Agriculture also participated in an interactive session where they were introduced to the opportunities within agribusiness. Many expressed interest in applying the knowledge to build their own ventures.
As part of the engagement, the IITA team toured the university’s agricultural facilities, including the piggery, nursery, and fish pond. The visit allowed them to assess existing structures and identify areas where support could improve productivity.
Mr. Osun commended the facilities and assured the university of IITA’s support. “We are impressed with what we have seen here. With the right support and improvements, this can become a strong training ground for agribusiness development,” he said.
To strengthen the programme, IITA announced it would provide essential equipment, including a pumping machine and a rechargeable knapsack sprayer, to support practical learning and farm operations.
