Presco Plc, Nigeria’s leading oil palm producer and a member of the SIAT Group, has announced the commencement of the first batch of its inaugural SIAT Academy Graduate Training Program. This flagship initiative marks a major step in building a strong leadership pipeline for the future of agribusiness in Nigeria and across West Africa.
The SIAT Academy, which was launched earlier this year, serves as a strategic development platform to enhance professional training and capacity building within the SIAT Group companies and the wider palm oil industry. Through leadership training and graduate development programs, the Academy aims to equip young professionals with practical and managerial skills needed to drive sustainable agricultural growth.
According to the company, the graduate training program is a core part of this initiative. It combines classroom learning, on-the-job training, and mentorship over a one-year period to prepare young African graduates for the realities of modern agriculture. The first batch of the inaugural cohort, which began in July 2025, includes 26 young professionals drawn from diverse backgrounds in agriculture, technology, and business support functions. After completing their induction phase, the trainees are now actively contributing to Presco’s operations in both Nigeria and Ghana.
“This programme is not just about training—it’s about transformation,” said Reinout Impens, Presco’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are investing in the future of African agribusiness by empowering young talent and fast-tracking them into management roles. Those who meet our performance benchmarks will transition into assistant managerial positions, beginning their leadership journey within the SIAT Group.”
The program underscores Presco’s broader commitment to economic development and workforce sustainability. It aligns with national efforts to boost job creation, skills transfer, and agricultural productivity. A second batch of trainees under the same cohort is expected to begin in September 2025, signaling Presco’s long-term investment in human capital development and agribusiness innovation.
By embedding the Academy’s training model across its operations in Nigeria and Ghana, Presco is positioning itself as a key player in shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders. The initiative also aims to encourage students and early-career professionals to see agriculture as a profitable and purpose-driven career path.
The SIAT Academy operates across Presco’s locations in Edo, Delta, and Rivers States in Nigeria, as well as in Ghana. It remains open to graduates from relevant fields who are passionate about contributing to the growth of agribusiness and advancing sustainable agriculture in Africa.