The Emma Njoku Foundation has launched an initiative to tackle youth unemployment and food insecurity in Nigeria by training 300 young people in modern agriculture and agribusiness.

The programme, which held at CSS Integrated Farms, Nasarawa State, is designed to equip participants with the skills to become self-reliant entrepreneurs while contributing to the nation’s food security.

The event witnessed the training of participants in two batches of A and B with 140 and 160 beneficiaries respectively, drawn from applicants across the country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Founder, Dr. Emmanuel Njoku, highlighted the significance of the training to the youths. This he said, include raising a new generation of farmers with modern skills that will support the food production value chain of the country while underscoring the initiative’s transformative potential.

“This initiative is about helping people to rediscover their potentials in agriculture; empowering our youths to become leaders in agribusiness and drivers of economic growth”, he said.

Also, the Programme Officer of the Foundation, Mr. Ifeanyi Geraad Ihugba, noted that “Njoku’s philanthropic investment demonstrates the critical role of private sector involvement in national development.”

Adding: “Our goal is to inspire a new generation of farmers, who will transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and make the country a major food exporter.”

The training, fully funded by Emma Njoku Foundation focused on greenhouse vegetable irrigation, catfish farming, open field crop production, poultry and value addition.

Participants also received technology-driven tools, including Tablets to enhance their learning.

Speaking at the event, one of the beneficiaries, Udeh Ifeanyichukwu, expressed his excitement. He said the training has equipped him to be a successful agri-businessman

“This training has opened my eyes to the opportunities in agriculture. I now have the skills to not only grow crops but also run a successful agribusiness.”

Other participants, including Dr. Nwachukwu Chinemere and Chukwuemeka Francisca, also shared their gratitude to Njoku.

“I never thought agriculture could be this rewarding. This programme has given me hope and a clear path to a better future”, said Francisca.

Nigeria has over 40 million hectares of arable land, much of it under-utilised. By empowering youths with practical agribusiness skills, the foundation aims to boost food production, create jobs, alleviate poverty and address insecurity linked to unemployment.

The collaboration with CSS Integrated Farms, owned by Professor John Kennedy Opara, underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in driving sustainable development.

At the end of the training, participants returned to their communities with new knowledge, enthusiasm and a renewed determination to transform agriculture into a driver of economic growth.