News in brief:
– UNESCO has launched the Nigerian Sector Skills Council for Agriculture (SSC4A) to address skills gaps and boost Nigeria’s agricultural workforce.
– It is funded by Korea’s BEAR initiative and aims to enhance food security, create jobs, and support sustainable development.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is launching an initiative to advance skills development in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. According to the agency’s press release, it is collaborating with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Federal Ministry of Education to implement the program.
Funded by the Republic of Korea under the Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR III) project, the initiative will establish the Nigerian Sector Skills Council for Agriculture (SSC4A).
As with all SSCs, this council will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure the agriculture and food sectors have a skilled workforce to fill demand gaps. It aims to develop skills systems that align with the evolving needs of the labour market.
The SSC4A was inaugurated at the United Nations House in Abuja and is focused on addressing skills deficiencies in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and private sector stakeholders attended the launch event.
UNESCO’s Representative to Nigeria, Abdourahamane Diallo, emphasised that agriculture is a critical sector in Nigeria due to its role in driving economic growth and employment. He highlighted that skill-building can unlock the sector’s potential and contribute to sustainable development, especially for youths.
Meanwhile, Professor Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of NBTE, commended SSCs for promoting a demand-driven approach to skills development. He noted that such an approach ensures training programs meet industry needs and expressed optimism that SSC4A would do the same for agriculture.
Dr Olodo M.A., Director of Technology and Science Education, representing the Honourable Minister of Education at the event, underscored the importance of agriculture in improving food security, creating jobs, and reducing poverty.
Other speakers praised the establishment of the council and stressed the need for active engagement from public and private sector stakeholders to ensure its success.
A technical session was held to present and discuss the draft operational guidelines for sector skills councils in delivering National Skills Qualifications (NSQ) in Nigeria. Stakeholders provided feedback on the guidelines, which were informed by growth trends and skill gaps across agricultural sub-sectors.
