Capacity Development Office (CDO)
About the Unit
The Capacity Development Office (CDO) of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is dedicated to developing and sharing capacities across agri-food systems in sub-Saharan Africa. We design and deliver innovative programs and learning opportunities that equip our clients with skills and knowledge to improve their contributions in Africa’s agri-food sector. We also strengthen IITA’s internal capacity to deliver on its mandate, equip Nigerian youth with cutting-edge agricultural knowledge, and support farming communities — particularly women — across Nigeria and Africa. Through strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, CDO drives and supports impactful projects that strengthen individual and institutional capacities in agri-food systems across IITA’s countries of intervention.
Mission
IITA a Center of Excellence for Capacity Development in Research for Development, Delivery and Scaling in African Agriculture.
Mission
IITA a Center of Excellence for Capacity Development in Research for Development, Delivery and Scaling in African Agriculture.
What We Do
Training Courses
From virtual classrooms to hands-on workshops, we deliver tailored training courses to a diverse range of clients, including national agricultural research, extension and Education systems (NAREES), public and private sector organizations, NGOs, associations, and training providers. Our flexible learning experiences — available in virtual, physical, and hybrid formats — are designed to meet clients where they are, on both a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) basis.
Internship & Volunteering Program
As part of IITA’s commitment to building the capacity of young people, the CDO manages the placement and follow-up of interns and volunteers across the institute. Interns are students currently enrolled in or freshly graduated from universities and academic institutions across Africa and beyond, seeking hands-on work experience or looking to fulfill degree requirements. Volunteers are individuals eager to contribute and gain professional experience at IITA, with or without stipends or in-kind benefits.
Staff Development
The Learning & Development (L&D) sub-unit of CDO provides staff development opportunities that help IITA employees grow and excel in their roles. Through regular needs assessments, the sub-unit delivers targeted programs including the annual Talent Grant for National Staff, open and free training courses, and partnerships with external training providers offering free and discounted learning opportunities.