In a bid to promote good nutrition and improve the Nigerian protein industry, the Soy Excellence Centre (SEC), a United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) initiative, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a key partner, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) of Nigeria with a mission to enhance capacity building and workforce training for early-to-mid career protein professionals and enterprises in the Nigeria’s protein industry.
The Chief Executive Officer, USSEC, Jim Sutter has revealed that USSEC’s Soy Excellence Centre programming leverages the knowledge of the US Soy industry to make the training possible in Nigeria. He said; “We are proud to collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund of Nigeria and industry to help advance the Nigerian protein industry, delivering a world-class training curriculum to empower trainees with relevant skills and help promote local economic growth”. The partnership between the USSEC’s SEC and the Industrial Training Fund of Nigeria, funded in part by the United Soybean Board, marks a significant milestone in the SEC’s efforts to expand its training curriculum to current and potential trainees throughout Nigeria across the agro-training centres.
With this partnership, SEC and ITF aim to provide essential training and education to professionals in the protein industry, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive innovation and growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector while supporting the needs of protein enterprises to access world-class curricula. The Director-General and Chief Executive of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, represented by the Director, Technical and Vocational Skills Training Department, ITF, Mrs. Lami Dakwak, has emphasised that the strategic partnership between ITF and USSEC in a curriculum-based skills training programme, through SEC, had focused on soybean farming, poultry, and aquaculture, which would consequently help Nigeria address food security issues, promote good nutrition, and boost trade and commerce.
Sir Ari added that the partnership would also deliver solutions to balance Nigeria’s current job creation, employability, and empowerment needs for youths while building capacity in the agricultural and protein value chain. This partnership is vital to our vision of a vibrant and rising Nigeria”. According to USSEC Country Team Lead in Nigeria, Dr. Michael David also stated that the Soy Excellence Centre’s commitment to excellence in training and development, coupled with the support of partners, would drive sustainable growth where skilled protein professionals would contribute significantly to ensure the Nigeria’s economic development.
