The European Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities needed to pursue entrepreneurship and improve their employability.
Luisa Bunescu, Higher Education Policy Expert at the European Commission, disclosed this on Tuesday during the second day of the 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), is themed, “Advancing Inclusive and Resilient Agrifood Systems in a Challenging Climate through Entrepreneurship, Digital Innovations and Value Chain Development.”
The event featured agrifood exhibitions, improved agricultural inputs and displays of quality and healthy processed staples.
Speaking on “Promoting Green Skills and Competencies through University Partnerships: The EU Global Gateway Strategy,” Bunescu outlined key areas the European Commission had prioritised for investment.
In a lecture delivered virtually, she said renewable energy, agrifood, horticulture and public health were among the sectors that 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 microgrids.
“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 added that the commission’s interventions would focus on equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, APRNet commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for its contribution to strengthening 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 objectives into tangible outcomes in rural communities.
“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.
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“If you go to many rural areas, you will see IFAD developing cassava and other basic staples and strengthening their value chains,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some beneficiaries of IFAD’s training programme also expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying it had helped them become self-reliant.
Mrs Onize Ahmed, a Port Harcourt-based entrepreneur and beneficiary of the IFAD Value Chain Development Programme for farmers, said she was currently engaged in baking, pastries and confectionery production.
Ahmed said the training enabled her to locally source flour from cassava and rice.
“We got trained in 2024. We were also given start-up packs, including vegetable oil, gas cooker, frying pans and measuring spoons,” she said.
