The Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship in Nigeria (WATEA-Nigeria) is a 2-year project implemented by IITA-CGIAR, sponsored by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs via the Embassy of France in Nigeria.
The project’s main objective is to promote the development of technical and professional skills of young women and directly align them with the needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agri-food sector. The project also supports the growth of women-led agri-food businesses and fosters local and national entrepreneurial ecosystems in Nigeria. Through promoting the highest environmental standards, WATEA foresees the sustainability of agricultural practices and increased productivity while promoting significant participation of young women in agribusiness.
WATEA held her maiden Stakeholders’ Meeting at the French Embassy, Abuja, on 8 December. Attendees included the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Her Excellency Emmanuelle Blatmann; French Embassy Regional Agriculture Counsellor, Dr Sonia Darracq; Project Coordinator (IITA), Zainatou Soré; commissioners and stakeholders from the three selected regional locations, namely Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest Nigeria.
During the event, stakeholders observed a series of critical conversations on the state of agricultural education in Nigeria, its impact on agriculture, and how to ensure the project’s success.
As part of the foundational blocks for the WATEA Project, the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of France in Nigeria, sponsored delegates on a study tour in France from 10 to 17 December.
WATEA aims to transform agricultural education in Nigeria by implementing systems and practices that will revolutionize the perception of the agricultural sector while making it appealing to young individuals, especially young women, in the country.
To achieve its aims, selected delegates, who are Rectors and heads of agricultural departments in the selected technical schools, were sponsored on the study tour, comprising visits to prominent educational institutions, relevant government bodies, and agricultural enterprises in Paris and the southwest of France.
The study tour included interactions with peers from the French Ministry of Agriculture and French Technical Colleges of Agriculture. These interactions helped the delegates understand the nuances of local production and its crucial role in sustainable agricultural education. They also visited agricultural sites, engaged with local producers, and explored ways to integrate these experiences into their curriculum.
Blatmann stated in her address at the stakeholders meeting that this mission will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and ultimately transform Nigeria’s agricultural education while increasing women’s involvement in agriculture and agriculture-related businesses.
Contributed by Ajayi Isaac
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