…Target youth skills, aquaculture, enterprise development

Nigeria and Thailand have strengthened bilateral cooperation in agriculture with a new partnership focused on agricultural education, modern aquaculture, youth development, technology transfer and enterprise creation.

The collaboration, formalised through the signing of a Record of Discussions involving the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Kasetsart University (KU) and the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River (FCCO), is expected to create new opportunities for Nigerian youths seeking careers and businesses in the agricultural sector.

The agreement was signed on Thursday during a ceremony and luncheon dialogue attended by senior government officials, diplomats and representatives of the participating institutions from both countries.

A major component of the partnership is the establishment of a standard fish farm at the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, fully funded by the Government of Thailand.

The facility is expected to provide students and other beneficiaries with hands-on training in modern aquaculture, while serving as a centre for practical learning, technology transfer, innovation and skills development.

Beyond the fish farm, the partnership provides for student exchange programmes between Nigeria and Thailand, as well as wider academic, technical and institutional collaboration between Kasetsart University and the Federal Cooperative College.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s growing need to transform agriculture from predominantly subsistence activity into a more technology-driven and commercially viable sector capable of creating jobs and wealth for its youthful population.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the partnership as an important link between youth development, innovation and business creation.

Abdullahi welcomed the initiative, stressing that Nigeria’s agricultural transformation must extend beyond traditional farming to encompass practical education, modern technology, entrepreneurship and international exposure.

He noted that providing young Nigerians with relevant skills and access to modern agricultural technologies could make the sector more attractive to a new generation while opening avenues for them to establish sustainable businesses.

The establishment of the fish farm at FCCO is particularly significant given the increasing importance of aquaculture in meeting Nigeria’s demand for fish and reducing dependence on imported fish products.

With access to modern production techniques and practical training, students could acquire skills applicable not only to employment but also to the establishment of commercially sustainable aquaculture ventures.

The partnership is also expected to strengthen institutional links between Nigerian and Thai educational institutions, allowing students and academics to benefit from knowledge sharing and international experience.

The formal involvement of TICA, Thailand’s development cooperation agency, gives the initiative a broader government-to-government dimension, while Kasetsart University’s participation brings academic and technical expertise to the programme.

The signing ceremony featured Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of TICA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand; Thailand’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Thirapath Mongkolnavin; Assistant Professor Khongsak Thiangtum, President of Kasetsart University; and Dr. Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu, Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River.