The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Mastercard Foundation have partnered to launch a project tagged ‘The Young Africa Works’.
The project is designed to incorporate and advance agribusiness skill development and entrepreneurial opportunities to over 40,000 Nigerian youths in the next five years.
The Young Africa Works-IITA project is therefore currently seeking applicants within Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos, to build their capacity to be trained and work within the supported value chain of rice, soybean, maize,
cowpea, poultry, vegetable, mushroom, groundnut, fish, and livestock.
The project and training will focus on; Entrepreneurial and Employment track
Entrepreneurship Track
The programme has identified several enterprises and successful agribusiness models attractive to youths. This will guide the intended beneficiaries to produce a bankable business plan at the end of this training track. The Young Africa Works-IITA project has partnered with a financial
institution such as Sterling Bank, NIRSAL to facilitate access to sources of finance and credit. Access to post-training support will be facilitated by the project.
Employment Track
The program is aware of the skills gap between youth and potential employers, as a result, this training aims to better match these two interests. This will be conducted through commercial internships and mentorship in order to further advance skills development and find better jobs. Youth
emerging from employment-track training are provided assistance to find decent jobs through professional placement services.
Eligibility Criteria
• Aged 18 – 35 years
• Must be ordinarily resident in the respective municipal area (and live within 5km radius of a cluster)
• Must have attained at least Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) for entrepreneurship track & a diploma for employment track
• Willingness to commit at least 6 weeks for the training
• Must demonstrate a passion for agriculture
• Interest in the project focus commodities
• Must have access to a functional mobile phone
• Affiliation to a registered association is an added advantage
Application process:
• Click here to apply
• Limited Forms are also available at
a) Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, 371 Oko-Oba, Agege Motor Rd, Agege, Lagos
b) IITA office, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) office complex, Zaria Kaduna State.
c) International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Sabo Bakin Zuwo Road, Kano State.
• Application period: November 12th to December 12th, 2020
• A follow up interview may be conducted for the final selection of beneficiaries to be considered for the training.
Aline Musigho, executive manager of the IITA project, said the project was critical in creating opportunities for many, while he commended the impact of the youths in Nigeria.
The focus of the project in Nigeria is to get 10 million young Nigerians, majorly women, to access the opportunities abundant in the agricultural sector by 2030, said Musigho.
Chidinma Lawanson, country head, MasterCard Foundation, stated that agriculture is among the most viable potential sources of employment for young people in Africa.
