The European Commission has expressed commitment to supporting young Nigerians identify entrepreneurial opportunities and improve their employability prospects.
The commission’s Higher Education Policy Expert, Luisa Bunescu, stated this at the ongoing international conference on agrifood systems and stakeholders’ forum at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
The three-day conference, organised by the Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet), has the theme: “Advancing Inclusive and Resilient Agrifood Systems in a Challenging Climate through Entrepreneurship, Digital Innovations and Value Chain Development.”
The conference also featured agrifood exhibitions, improved agricultural inputs and displays of quality, healthy processed staples.
Speaking on “Promoting Green Skills and Competencies through University Partnerships: The EU Global Gateway Strategy,” Bunescu highlighted areas the commission had prioritised for investment.
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In a lecture delivered via Zoom, she said renewable energy, agrifood, horticulture and public health, among others, would receive priority attention.
“We also pay particular attention to small and medium enterprises in the agriculture sector and public healthcare facilities.
“Our target is to have these business groups electrified with solar micro grids.
“We are always aiming at bringing the skills dimension into every investment we push, so we are investing in human capital, particularly through skills development and professional vocational education,” she said.
Bunescu said the commission’s interventions would also focus on equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Meanwhile, APRNet commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for its contribution to transforming Nigeria’s agrifood value chain.
Prof. Anthony Onoja, APRNet president and conference coordinator, said IFAD’s projects were helping to translate the Federal Government’s development goals into reality.
“Today, we recognise the contributions of the Federal Government and the IFAD Value Chain Development Project.
“These contributions are significantly visible in our communities and transforming the agrifood systems in Nigeria.
“If you go to many rural areas, you will see IFAD developing cassava and other basic staples and strengthening their value chains,” he said.
Some beneficiaries of IFAD training who spoke at the program expressed appreciation for the programme, saying it had helped them become self-reliant.
Onize Ahmed, a Port Harcourt-based entrepreneur and beneficiary of the IFAD-VCDP programme for farmers, said she was currently into baking, pastries and confectioneries.
Ahmed said the training enabled her to locally source flour from cassava and rice.
“We got trained by IFAD in 2024. We were also given start-up packs, including vegetable oil, gas cooker, frying pans and measuring spoons,” she said.
