IYA

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aletheia University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, to explore cooperation in agricultural research, knowledge transfer, and youth promotion in agribusiness.

The MoU was signed recently at the institute’s headquarters in Ibadan by Dr Dashiell Kenton, the IITA’s Deputy Director-General for Partnerships for Delivery, and Prof Onasanya Amos, the university’s Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the partnership with IITA would help the institution significantly, especially in providing research platforms for its scientists and equipping the students with agribusiness and entrepreneurial skills. He was accompanied by the Bursar, Akanji Idris; the Librarian, Dr Aderibigbe Adeniyi; the provost of the College of Science and Engineering, Dr Bello Oniyide; and the Deputy Director of Corporate Communication, Ayokunle Maraiyesa.

The VC stated, “Having passed through international research institutions that focus on development and youth entrepreneurship, like IITA, I know we would need the help of IITA. The university wants to have graduates who can compete globally. We have 100-level students now, and we want them to graduate in the next four or five years with four certificates: the certificate of their program, the ICT certificate, the Entrepreneurship certificate, and a certificate from their professional body.”

“Today, you need to be equipped with some skills to excel. Agribusiness is one of the components of our entrepreneurship plan, and we would want IITA to handle that. That is one of the motivations for partnering with IITA. We have an expanse of land, close to 150 hectares, for agriculture, and we might invite some members of your team to visit us and look at how we can start.

“The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, the staff, and the university members are happy about this partnership, and they look forward to the fact that the technologies from the IITA will go a long way in helping the institution. We will ensure the MoU we signed is operational and not a document for the shelf.”

During the team’s visit to the IITA Youth in Agribusiness Office (IYA), the VC said the university was ready to work with the unit, adding that the mandate crops of the IITA were also of interest to the institution. “We have a plan to establish a center of excellence for agribusiness and sustainable agriculture, and we want to put an international touch on it, and of course, I cannot do that without your help,” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, Dashiell said IITA’s partnership with other institutions had been mutually beneficial, adding that the institute looked forward to a rewarding relationship with the university.

He added, “We are very proud of our Youth in Agribusiness program, and we are making good progress in helping young people get the kind of information and knowledge they need to be successful in agribusiness, whether it is starting their own business or being employed by an agribusiness.

“However, a few thousand young people who are beneficiaries of our projects here and there are like nothing when we look at the population of Nigeria and even Africa. Those figures need to be 50 to 100 million when you look at all our young people, including secondary and higher education students. We are trying to understand the best way to do it and pass that to colleagues around Nigeria and Africa.”