The Kaduna Business School, in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, the Enterprise Development Centre and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, has successfully concluded the training and certification of 110 Agribusiness Development Service Providers (BDSPs) and 50 agribusiness Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) drawn from Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger states.
The capacity-building programme was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain by equipping participants with practical business management skills, technical knowledge, and advisory expertise needed to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of agribusiness enterprises.
Furthermore, the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote agricultural transformation, create employment opportunities, improve food security, and stimulate inclusive economic growth across Nigeria.
Building Stronger Agribusiness Enterprises
The organisers explained that the programme seeks to develop highly skilled Agribusiness Development Service Providers who can offer quality advisory services to farmers, agribusiness owners, cooperatives, and agricultural entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, these professionals will support businesses in areas such as financial management, market access, business planning, value chain development, and operational efficiency.
Improved advisory services will strengthen the performance of agricultural enterprises throughout the participating states.
Professional guidance drives sustainable business growth.
Empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
The 50 agribusiness MSMEs that participated in the programme also received specialised training designed to improve their entrepreneurial and operational capabilities.
Furthermore, participants gained practical knowledge in business development, financial planning, product marketing, customer management, innovation, and enterprise sustainability.
The programme equips entrepreneurs with tools required to expand their businesses while improving profitability and long-term resilience.
Stronger MSMEs strengthen the agricultural economy.
Promoting Agricultural Transformation
The organisers reaffirmed that agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s most important economic sectors.
Furthermore, strengthening agribusinesses contributes directly to increased food production, rural development, job creation, poverty reduction, and economic diversification.
They noted that supporting agricultural enterprises creates opportunities throughout the entire value chain, from production and processing to distribution and export.
Agriculture remains a catalyst for national development.
Strengthening Advisory Services
A major objective of the programme involved improving the quality of agribusiness advisory services available to farmers and agricultural enterprises.
Furthermore, certified Business Development Service Providers will now be better positioned to assist businesses in overcoming operational challenges while identifying new growth opportunities.
Quality advisory services enhance productivity and business performance.
Knowledge sharing accelerates agricultural progress.
Partnership Driving Sustainable Development
The collaboration between Kaduna Business School, AGRA, Enterprise Development Centre, and SMEDAN demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving agricultural development objectives.
Furthermore, combining institutional expertise enables the partners to deliver comprehensive training programmes that address both technical and business management challenges facing the sector.
Collaborative initiatives maximise development impact.
Partnerships strengthen institutional effectiveness.
Supporting Food Security
The organisers emphasised that stronger agribusinesses contribute significantly to Nigeria’s food security agenda.
Furthermore, improving business management within agricultural enterprises enhances production efficiency, reduces post-harvest losses, increases market access, and expands food availability.
Sustainable agricultural enterprises support stable food systems while improving rural livelihoods.
Food security begins with productive agriculture.
Creating Employment Opportunities
The training programme is also expected to contribute to employment generation across the participating states.
Furthermore, successful agribusinesses create direct and indirect jobs through farming, processing, logistics, marketing, distribution, and related support services.
Expanding entrepreneurial capacity within agriculture therefore strengthens local economies while creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
Agricultural growth generates inclusive employment.
Driving Long-Term Economic Growth
The successful training and certification of 160 participants highlight the growing commitment of Kaduna Business School and its partners to strengthening Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem.
Furthermore, by investing in capacity building, entrepreneurship development, and professional advisory services, the programme supports sustainable agricultural transformation and private sector growth.
As the newly certified Business Development Service Providers and agribusiness MSMEs apply the knowledge gained during the programme, they are expected to improve enterprise performance, expand market opportunities, strengthen agricultural value chains, enhance food security, create employment, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s long-term economic development.
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