The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) recently held its first-ever “Catch Them Young Initiative,” a post-harvest loss reduction summer class in Lagos.
The event, which ran from August 4 to 21, 2025, trained 50 students in skills related to food preservation, processing, and agribusiness.
Structured in three batches, the program provided hands-on training in postharvest management and value addition to agricultural products. NSPRI’s Executive Director, Professor Lateef Sanni, congratulated the students for their enthusiasm and commitment to learning.
He emphasized the importance of introducing innovation and entrepreneurial skills at an early stage, encouraging the students to share their experiences with others.
He assured them that future editions of the program would offer even more opportunities for growth.
“The knowledge you’ve gained will serve you well not just in secondary school, but in university and beyond,” he noted.
Dr. Shuaeeb N. Oyewole, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, praised the program for its potential to foster food security and create the next generation of agripreneurs.
He highlighted that the students, equipped with the skills learned, could contribute significantly to job creation and national development, aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The students showcased some of the items they had learned to produce during the program, such as pineapple rings, pawpaw flakes, and fish snacks. One of the participants explained how the training had helped them turn raw farm produce into sellable snacks, adding, “This program has taught me how to turn farm produce into snacks we can sell.”
Ms. Abimbola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, acknowledged NSPRI’s efforts in providing young Nigerians with essential skills that address the country’s postharvest losses. “Nigeria loses between 30 percent and 50 percent of its agricultural produce due to poor storage and logistics.
“What you’ve learned here today goes beyond fun. You are now equipped to offer solutions to national challenges by saving food, money, and even lives,” she said.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to all participants, along with special awards and cash prizes for the top students from each batch, as well as the overall best student.
Among the attendees were representatives from various organizations, including Mr. Akinde Temitope Samuel from the Ministry of Education District IV, Dr. Aremu Mariam, Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of NSPRI, and food expert Frank Ojeye, Managing Director of Franlet Kitchen.
Dr. Oyewole concluded the ceremony by urging parents to support their children in continuing to practice what they had learned.
He stressed that the skills gained from the program could provide students with sustainable livelihoods if properly utilized.
