The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is preparing to train 200 youths in Anambra State under the second phase of its Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chain Business Development Program.
The training will focus on the TAENPROWIZ Fish Production Business System and Technology.
This initiative is led by the Taenprowiz Production Business System Partnership, which operates through centers such as the Adazi-Nnukwu Fish Production Village Business Franchise, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Igbariam.
The program aligns with the ECOWAS Commission’s efforts to promote youth employability and supports Anambra State’s commitment to youth-centered policies. The West Africa Secretariat for Ecological and Organic Agriculture (WASEOA) is coordinating the training, managing centers across the ECOWAS region, including the TAENPROWIZ Partnership Center in Anambra.
FABDA, the agency responsible for fisheries and aquaculture development in Anambra, has set a short-term goal to locally produce at least 51,000 metric tons of table fish per year, as mandated in Section 5 of the FABDA Law, to help the state achieve self-sufficiency.
Emeka Iloghalu, Managing Director and CEO of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), highlighted the significance of the ECOWAS-backed training during a recent meeting with youth leaders.
He pointed out that the program aligns well with the Anambra State Government’s current focus on youth-driven human capital and economic development.
As the program’s coordinator, Iloghalu explained that the participants would be trained in modern fish farming practices using the TAENPROWIZ Fish Production System and Technology. This training is designed to help them manage fish production businesses with greater professionalism and efficiency.
He noted that the launch of the second phase builds on the success of the first cohort.
According to him, the initiative is set to strengthen the capabilities of existing training centers and equip young people with the practical skills required to succeed as fish entrepreneurs or business managers.
“ECOWAS is committed to expanding youth involvement in agribusiness throughout the region, recognizing agriculture as a key driver of job creation, wealth generation, and food security,” Iloghalu stated.
FABDA’s push to industrialize fish farming in Anambra, particularly through the TAENPROWIZ approach, is expected to significantly increase local production of table fish.
The strategy encompasses the full value chain, including broodstock development, seed fish production, and fish processing, with projected benefits reaching across Anambra, the Southeast, Nigeria, and the broader ECOWAS region.
Expressing support for the program, Surveyor Ambassador Obi Emeka Chukwudi, State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), described fisheries as a powerful tool for youth empowerment and self-sufficiency. He also affirmed NYCN’s readiness to engage and mobilize young people across the state for full participation.
In the same vein, Comrade Ken Okoli, President of the Youth Wing of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), along with Dr. Tochukwu Obiadi, the APGA State Youth Leader, voiced their strong backing for the initiative and encouraged sustained efforts to empower young people.
The second phase of the training incorporates the principles of Ecological Organic Aquaculture, which includes the use of nutrient-rich fish wastewater to support agroecological crop farming.
This integrated method not only promotes environmental sustainability but also contributes to improving food security.
The program is specifically designed for youths between the ages of 18 and 35 as of 2025, particularly those aiming to build careers as entrepreneurs, investors, or professionals in the fish farming and marketing industry.
