Oyo State has been chosen to benefit from the Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship (WATEA) program, which aims to train youths and women in agriculture and provide apprenticeship opportunities in the private sector.
Dr. Debo Akande, Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), announced this on Monday during a visit by Governor Seyi Makinde with Dr. Sonia Darracq, Regional Agriculture Counsellor for Benin Republic, Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo, and Mrs. Zaina Sore, Head of Capacity Development Office and WATEA Coordinator, in Ibadan.
Akande stated that the French Government would support Oyo State in addressing the skills gap in agribusiness. The WATEA team is collaborating with the Oyo State College of Agricultural Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, to revamp its curriculum and support its teachers and students.
“Oyo State has a longstanding relationship with the French Government, especially in agriculture, health, and education. This collaboration focuses on agribusiness apprenticeship, training young people to become apprentices in private institutions. The French Government is helping us address the skills and competencies deficit in agribusiness. They are working closely with OYSCATECH to update the curriculum and support both teachers and students. Our goal is to produce skilled young entrepreneurs who can support the growing agribusiness sector,” Akande said.
He added that the state is fully committed to the project, as evidenced by Governor Makinde’s approval of the team’s requests.
Dr. Darracq, representing the French Government, mentioned that their visit to Ibadan was to discuss the two-year WATEA program, funded by the French Government. The program targets polytechnics and technical colleges of agriculture nationwide, with a particular focus on Oyo State. She emphasized the need for government support to ensure the program’s sustainability post-French funding. The initiative includes partnerships with French technical colleges to facilitate student exchanges, enhancing agricultural techniques and education in Oyo State.
Mrs. Sore from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and WATEA Coordinator noted that the program, which started a year ago, includes Oyo as one of six beneficiary states. It aims to modernize education by integrating practical skills and industry linkages, offering internships and apprenticeships. The program plans to train at least 2,500 youths, 80% of whom will be women, with many participants coming from Oyo State schools.
