NSPRI holds maiden postharvest loss reduction summer class for Lagos students
The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has concluded the maiden edition of its postharvest loss reduction summer class under the “Catch Them Young Initiative”, held in Lagos between August 4–21, 2025. The programme trained 50 students across three batches in food preservation, processing, and agribusiness, with practical exposure to postharvest management and value addition.
Executive Director of NSPRI, Professor Lateef Sanni, commended the students for embracing the training and emphasised the importance of early exposure to innovation and enterprise. He assured participants that future editions of the programme would be “more engaging and rewarding.
Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Shuaeeb N. Oyewole, described the training as exceptional, noting that the skills gained would not only enhance food security but also position participants as future agripreneurs and job creators, aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Students demonstrated their skills by showcasing value-added products such as pineapple rings, pawpaw flakes, and fish snacks, reflecting on how the training had inspired them to view agribusiness as a livelihood opportunity.
In her keynote address, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abimbola Olusanya, commended NSPRI for equipping young Nigerians with practical skills that address one of the country’s pressing challenges—postharvest losses, which account for 30–50% of national food waste. She reminded the students that their new skills represented real solutions to saving food, money, and lives.
Certificates of participation were awarded to all attendees, alongside special awards and cash prizes for outstanding students. The event also featured contributions from the Ministry of Education District IV, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr. Mariam Aremu (Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, NSPRI), and food entrepreneur Mr. Frank Ojeye of Franlet Kitchen.
Source: Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The NSPRI summer class initiative is more than a youth empowerment programme—it represents a strategic intervention in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against postharvest losses. By introducing young people to food preservation, processing, and agribusiness at an early stage, the initiative creates pathways for sustainable food systems and entrepreneurial futures.
- Youth as Change Agents in Food Security
Engaging secondary-level students in agribusiness skills positions them as future drivers of innovation in food systems. Their ability to see farm produce not only as raw material but also as marketable products is a mindset shift critical for Nigeria’s food security. - Tackling Postharvest Losses Early
With Nigeria losing 30–50% of produce postharvest, this programme equips the next generation with solutions in preservation and storage. Early exposure ensures that youths understand food loss as both a national challenge and a business opportunity. - Practical Agribusiness Orientation
By showcasing products like fruit flakes and fish snacks, students gained hands-on exposure to value addition. This not only nurtures creativity but also highlights agribusiness as a viable career path, aligning with government priorities on job creation. - Policy Alignment with Renewed Hope Agenda
The initiative directly contributes to the Federal Government’s agenda on youth empowerment, food security, and agribusiness industrialisation. Public-private partnerships can scale such programmes, integrating them into school curricula nationwide. - Pathways to Sustainable Livelihoods
With parental and institutional support, the acquired skills can translate into small-scale enterprises, opening opportunities in food processing, cottage industries, and broader agro-value chains.
Conclusion
The NSPRI Catch Them Young Initiative demonstrates how early agribusiness education can be a strategic tool against food waste, unemployment, and poverty. Scaling this model nationwide will not only reduce Nigeria’s postharvest losses but also build a pipeline of innovative, agribusiness-savvy youth prepared to drive the country’s food security agenda.
