FG, WORLD BANK TRAIN 300 YOUTHS IN FISHERIES, POULTRY AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY TO PROMOTE SELF-RELIANCE AND FOOD SECURITY
-Anthony Toruka
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank, has commenced a comprehensive training programme for 300 Nigerian youths in fisheries, poultry, and animal husbandry. The initiative aims to enhance food security, reduce unemployment, and empower young people with practical skills for self-reliance.
The training, which began on October 27, 2025, at CSS Global Integrated Farms, Gora, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, marks the first phase of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills, Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (IDEAS-TVET) project.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, described the initiative as a timely intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to engage young Nigerians in productive ventures that promote food sufficiency and reduce social vices.
“This programme goes beyond training. It’s about equipping our young people with the tools to create opportunities, not just for themselves but for their communities. A productive youth population means a safer, more prosperous nation,” Dr. Akabe said.
In her remarks, the National Coordinator of the IDEAS Project, Mrs. Blessing Ugwu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering youths with relevant technical and vocational skills. Represented by the Head of Communication, Mr. Uche Mbaogu, she urged participants to take full advantage of the training.
“To our young beneficiaries, seize this opportunity. Learn, grow, and let this programme be the springboard to your success story. The future belongs to you, and the IDEAS-TVET initiative supported by the World Bank is here to help you claim it,” she said.
The Chairman of CSS Integrated Farms and Training Service Provider, Professor John Kennedy-Opara, commended the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank, and CSS Global Integrated Farms, describing it as a strategic step toward sustainable youth empowerment and global competitiveness. He encouraged trainees to approach the programme with discipline and vision.
Participants will undergo three months of intensive training followed by a three-month mandatory internship, making the programme a six-month comprehensive capacity-building initiative.
The IDEAS-TVET project, jointly supported by the World Bank and the Federal Government, seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training (TVET) system, equipping youths with hands-on skills for employment, innovation, and national development.
