As part of its efforts to empower young people and tackle poverty, the Solicitude Beyond Borders Foundation has completed the training of four youths from the Delta South Senatorial District in modern goat rearing techniques.

Speaking at the end of the two-week intensive programme, the founder of the foundation, Comrade Slater Christopher, said the initiative aimed to expose Nigerian youths to the largely untapped opportunities in agriculture using modern practices and technological tools.

“Our aim is to launch a farming awareness campaign that inspires Nigerian youths, especially recent graduates, to explore farming as a viable and sustainable career path,” he said.

Christopher noted that rather than waiting for white-collar jobs, which have become scarce due to low levels of local production, young Nigerians should be encouraged to embrace agriculture as a route to self-sufficiency and job creation.

To support their journey, each of the trained participants received a cheque of ₦1.5 million to start their own goat farming enterprise. The foundation will also deploy a dedicated team to monitor the businesses to ensure effective implementation and sustainability.

The founder further called on the government to create enabling policies and incentive-based schemes targeted at young graduates willing to enter the agriculture sector. He proposed a mandatory one-year agricultural programme for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, supported by institutions like the Bank of Industry, with strong monitoring mechanisms in place.

Christopher said that structured agricultural initiatives such as this could significantly reduce Nigeria’s poverty rate and transform the youth landscape through the development of agripreneurs, food security, and economic growth.