Applications Open: ECOWAS-YEP Youth Training Program 2025 for Nigerian Youths Interested in Agriculture

Are you a young Nigerian with a passion for agriculture, particularly in the Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Heuristics (ASPH) sector? Here’s an opportunity to turn that interest into a viable career. Applications are now open for the 2025 edition of the ECOWAS Strategy on Youth Employability Project (ECOWAS-YEP), implemented in Nigeria by the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN).

This initiative is designed to boost youth participation and integration into the agricultural value chain, helping to reduce unemployment and irregular migration. Through strategic training and practical skill development, the program aims to harness Nigeria’s youth potential to drive transformation in the agri-food and ASPH sectors.

What the Program Offers

Participants will be trained in multiple areas of organic and sustainable agriculture, with each module targeting specific aspects of agri-business. Here’s a breakdown of the training modules and their respective locations:

Module 1: General Courses

Location: Online
Duration: 1 Month
Participation: Mandatory for all selected applicants

What You’ll Learn:

• Organic Agriculture Certification
  
• Business Plan Development and Scaling
  
• Cooperative Development
  
• Financial and Production Record Keeping
  

Module 2: Input Production Training

Location: Ibadan, Oyo State
Duration: 2 Months
Format: 2 Weeks Onsite + 6 Weeks Online

What You’ll Learn:

• Compost Production Techniques
  
• Organic Pesticide Formulation
  
• Liquid Fertilizer Preparation
  

Module 3: Vegetable, Vines, and Yam Set Production

Location: Umudike, Abia State
Duration: 5 Months
Format: 8 Weeks Onsite + 12 Weeks Online

What You’ll Learn:

• Potato Vine Cultivation
  
• Production of Various Vegetable Crops
  
• Techniques for Preparing Yam Sets
  

Module 4: Sesame and Ginger Value Chain Development

Location: Zaria, Kaduna State
Duration: 6 Months
Format: 8 Weeks Onsite + 16 Weeks Online

What You’ll Learn:

• Sesame Cultivation Best Practices
  
• Ginger Production and Value Addition Strategies
  

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the ECOWAS-YEP Youth Training Program, applicants must:

• Be a Nigerian citizen aged between 18 and 35 years
  
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in agriculture, especially in organic farming practices
  
• Female applicants and members of marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply
  

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by August 16, 2025. Early applications are advised due to limited slots.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should complete their application through the official online portal.
👉 Click here to apply

This is more than just a training program—it’s an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, get certified, and potentially launch your own agricultural enterprise with expert support. If you’re ready to build a sustainable career in agriculture, don’t miss out on this opportunity.