Careers in Agriculture Nigerian Youths Can Explore

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Careers in agriculture - youth speaking on phone

Careers in agriculture have gone beyond the traditional jobs Nigerian youths believe to be available in the agricultural sector. It isn’t just about the trivial planting of crops and nurturing of animals. Apart from just being a sector that lives up to the sole purpose of consumer satisfaction, it is also a feasible career option for those giving thought to venturing in the field.

Despite Nigeria’s alarming unemployment rate which is at 33.3% according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the agricultural sector provides employment for about 36.38% of the population in a 2019 report, this has been its lowest contribution to employment in the country over the past 28 years. Its highest, being 53.15% in 1992.

So if you are thinking about working in the agricultural sector, but have zero idea about the available career opportunities, don’t fret! Right here, you’ll get a detailed exploration of the top agricultural careers, as well as the required skills needed to excel.

Here, we will be looking at the careers in agriculture that Nigerian youths can examine. There’s a wealth of careers in agriculture.

Careers in Agriculture You can Consider

Agricultural Economist

Scrutinizing economic data is the job of an agricultural economist. As the name implies, it entails researching and determining economic trends across the agricultural hemisphere. An agricultural economist must be able to understand economic decisions. To achieve this, macroeconomic and micro economic concepts and theories must be employed.

In most cases, an agricultural economist works independently. However, some situations may require him or her to collaborate with other economists, statistics evaluators, and mathematicians for increased efficiency.

Skills such as; analyzing a wide range of data, performing random calculations, and statistics evaluation are a must-have for any agricultural economist. To excel in the role of an agricultural economist, you must be great in mathematics and data analysis. Along with proficiency in calculations, you must be able to effectively interpret data trends and statistics.

Agricultural Food Scientist

The agricultural food scientist invents innovative mediums that can be harnessed to increase the quality of food supply. The role of an agricultural and food scientist entails researching ways to improve the safety of agricultural products.

To achieve this, the scientist collates data, conducts experiments, and analyzes the available resources, all in a bid to increase agricultural output significantly.

These set of persons work in offices, laboratories and in the field. The job scope of an agricultural food scientist may require him or her to visit different farms in order to obtain samples for research.

After the period of research, the agricultural food scientist compiles the possible solutions and communicates his or her findings to the other members of the agricultural science community.

Agricultural Engineer

The work of an agricultural engineer is extensive in nature. Any person in this category must be able to use the latest technological advancements to the advantage of the agriculture sector. An agricultural scientist uses computer aided technology to create and design agricultural equipment(s) and machinery in order to improve output efficiency.

Assessing the impact of human activities on crops, animals, and the surrounding environment are among the many duties of an agricultural engineer.

The agricultural engineer advises agriculturists on land use by collating data from the weather, thereby preventing unprecedented occurrences. He or she supervises the construction of agricultural projects from dusk till dawn.

>> You maybe interested Farming in Nigeria – How to Get Started.

Aquatic Ecologist

The research of wetlands and dry lands are among the several duties of an aquatic ecologist. Persons in this category undertake the study of water based ecosystems. These water based ecosystems consist of plants and animals that live in or near the water.

It is the job of an aquatic ecologist to study the relationship between the two systems and analyze surrounding issues. These issues include; pollution, loss of habitat, and threatening species.

In a bid to carry out the required job responsibilities, the aquatic ecologist may be required to test water samples, carry out examinations, check the levels of water particles, and monitor the ecosystem in case of any changes.

Farm/Agricultural Manager

The Farm manager could also assume the position of an agricultural inspector. A farm manager oversees the day to day running of the farm. A person in this position makes business decisions based on the available budget.

Marketing the farms products, maintaining farm buildings, ensuring agricultural products meet the deadline for sales and auctions, are some duties a farm manager will be required to perform.

The agricultural manager ensures that every activity in the farm is in compliance with the government regulations. He or she also makes sure that health and safety measures are observed.

To be a farm manager, you must have previous experience in commercial agriculture and technical knowledge. The job of farm manager will require you to perform administrative tasks and hands-on farming. Hence, a degree in agriculture or related fields will be required.

Wastewater Engineer

The wastewater engineer can also be referred to as a water engineer. As unappealing as the name may sound, it is surprisingly one of the most lucrative career opportunities in the agricultural job scope.

Basically, a wastewater engineer designs systems that treat water by removing harmful substances and making it drinkable.

The wastewater engineer also oversees projects that manage the distribution of safe water and the proper disposal of sewage. Persons in this category work with engineers to design water treatment facilities, reduce erosion, and prevent flood damage.

The water engineer along with other engineers work with regulatory organizations to ensure that all environmental guideline protocols are met.

A good number of wastewater engineers have degrees in chemical, mechanical, or civil engineering. Strong mathematical and computer skills are required due to the broad nature of the physical and life sciences.

>> You maybe interested: Reasons why top talent want to work in the agricultural space.

Perennial Scientist

The perennial scientist can otherwise be referred to as the soil and plant scientist. A soil and plant scientist will be required to research alternative methods of growing crops, by way of genetic modification.

Along with this, the scientist carries out a series of tests, to check the composition of the soil matter and further evaluate how it affects the growth of plants.

The job description of a perennial scientist includes; presentation of collated data in detailed reports, suggesting to food growers the most effective ways to utilize farm land, and pointing out the suitable crops for the different soil types.

Soil and plant scientists work on the farms, in the offices or laboratories. They spend most of their time gathering samples and doing research. A perennial scientist who specializes in food, may be required to work in kitchens to brainstorm alternative methods of food processing.

Conservation Planner

To become a conservation planner, you must have an eye for detail. You will also need to have good organizational and project management skills. The job of a conversational planner includes; developing budgets, troubleshooting environmental challenges, and preparing reports.

A conservation planner assumes the position of a middleman between product developers. He or she is responsible for determining the environmental value of the land intended for use. The conservation planner also determines whether a land is suitable for use.

Agricultural Salesperson

To become an agricultural salesperson, you must be able to listen to the needs of the agriculturists, advise farmers on different products, and recommend the suitable products for their respective purposes.

An agricultural salesperson must be knowledgeable of the different marketing strategies because he or she will be required to sell seeds, machinery, fertilizers and animal feeds to other farmers.

Persons in this category must have extensive knowledge about their products. Along with this, they must possess persuasive skills and be able to build long term relationships. If you are looking to pursue a career in this sector, a sales or marketing degree will be of great importance.

Interestingly, all of the careers in agriculture listed above are offered in Nigerian universities and even more in three of the country’s agricultural universities – Federal university of Agriculture Abeokuta, Federal university of Agriculture Makurdi and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.

Individuals with non-agricultural backgrounds who have interest in the agricultural sector can also work in the ever growing agricultural industry. The advent of agritech has increased the demand for non-agricultural talents and made the sector more attractive. Check out the list of top agritech jobs currently in demand.

At Babban Gona, we have various career opportunities for talents(agric and non agric) looking to work in the agricultural sector.

Conclusion

It is necessary to understand that Jobs in agriculture are somewhat vast. In Nigeria as a whole, the careers in agriculture are an exhaustive list. Nevertheless, whatever field you wish to venture into, the journey will undoubtedly be a pleasant and didactic merry-go-round.

3 thoughts on “Careers in Agriculture Nigerian Youths Can Explore”

  1. buda atum

    Put one tiny seed for ground, hoe some land, add some brain, and God adds sun and rain, and voila! A bumper crop!

    How much more blessings can one possibly want!? And then this smart nice kind generous individual comes to bless me some more!

    Op, your crop will be a million times my own!

    Reply

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Frank Altman

Board Director

Frank Altman is the founder and first CEO of Community Reinvestment Fund, USA. As CRF’s founder, Altman pioneered the development of a secondary market for community and economic development loans. Since 1988, under Altman’s leadership and in partnership with a network of more than 200 local community partners, CRF has funded more than $3.5 billion in loans to job-creating small businesses, non-profits, charter schools and affordable housing projects in 50 states plus the District of Columbia and more than 1,000 communities across the United States.
 
Altman helped design the creation of the federal New Markets Tax Credit to encourage private investment in low-income communities and is a founding member and first President of the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition. He is also a member of the Center for Community Development Investors at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and an advisor to the Social Innovation Initiative at Brown University and the Center for Impact Finance at the University of New Hampshire. His work has been featured in Inc. Magazine, where he was named one of its Entrepreneurs of the Year, and he received Fast Company’s Social Capitalist award.
 
Altman has been awarded the Economic Development Innovation Award from GIS Planning Inc. and fDi Intelligence for his contribution to the field of economic development. Altman is a Senior Fellow at Ashoka, the world-wide network of social entrepreneurs and a founding member of Kindred.
 
More recently, in September 2023, Altman authored a book published by Forbes and titled “A New Capitalism: Creating A Just Economy That Works For All.”It is available in physical and online book stores and on Audible.

Michael Jainzik

Board Director

 

Michael Jainzik is a Principal Sector Economist in KfW Development Bank. From 2001 to 2011 his work focused on investing and managing equity participation in investment funds and banking institutions, and in agricultural finance and microfinance. From 2011 to 2015 he worked as Director of KfW’s office in Windhoek. In this role he helped to manage and develop KfW’s EUR 250 million portfolio in Namibia. From 2015 to 2017 he assumed the position of Head of Corporate Development in Access Microfinance Holding where he was responsible for structuring and managing a merger process between Access Holding and another corporation.

Prior to his role in Babban Gona, Michael has served as a non-executive director in Access Bank Azerbaijan (2006-2011, Chairman), Belarusian Bank for Small Business (2008-2011), Rural Impulse Fund II Luxemburg (2010-2011) and AB Bank Zambia (2011-2016).

Michael has studied Economics and Management at the Universities of Lüneburg and Witten/Herdecke (Germany) and ETEA – Universidad Loyola in Córdoba (Spain) and holds a Master Degree in Economics and Management.

Bello Maccido

Board Member

 Mr. Maccido is an accomplished Corporate and Investment banker with over 31 years post graduate experience. He had at different times served on the Boards of FBN Holdings Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Legacy Pension Manager Limited and is currently the Chairman, FBN Merchant Bank Ltd. Mr. Maccido is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Mr. Maccido holds a Law Degree (LL.B) and a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA respectively. He is a Barrister at Law (BL) of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and an Alumnus of the Executive Business Programs of the Harvard Business School and the IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Muhammad Sanusi, CON

Chairman of the Board

His Highness Muhammad Sanusi was appointed the 10th Governor and Chairman of the Board, Central Bank of Nigeria on 3 June 2009. He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and also has a first-class degree in Sharia and Islamic Studies from the African International University, Khartoum, Sudan.
 
From working as a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, where he taught Economics, he joined the banking industry in 1985, and by January 2009 had risen to General Manager and Group Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria PLC, Nigeria’s oldest and biggest bank. Mallam Sanusi has been conferred with a National Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has also been awarded the “Global Central Bank Governor for 2010” by The Banker Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times.
 
He was also voted Central Bank Governor of the Year for Sub-Saharan Africa 2009 (an award he won again in 2010) by Emerging Markets, a publication of Euromoney Institutional Investors. In 2011, Mr. Sanusi was named Forbes Africa Person of the Year for 2011. He was also listed by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Kola Masha (Managing Director) Prior to Babban Gona, Kola was a Managing Director and CEO of a major subsidiary in the Notore.

Lola Masha

Executive Director

 

Before joining Babban Gona, Lola was the Director for Trust and Safety at OLX Group, working across 30+ OLX markets to ensure that buyers and sellers can transact safely and securely on the platform. Prior to her global role at OLX, Lola was the Country Manager for OLX in Nigeria where she was responsible for driving all elements of the business including Business Development, Product Localization, Marketing and other relevant functions. OLX Group is one of the world’s leading online classifieds players. Through its brands including OLX, Avito, dubizzle and letgo, OLX Group is the home of online classifieds in high-growth markets.

These platforms are the leading destination for buying and selling used goods and services in 30 countries, and the #1 mobile app in its category in more than 20 markets. Globally ~ 11 million items are exchanged through its platforms every single month.

Prior to joining OLX, Lola spent 4 years at Google leading various Product Partnerships efforts across EMEA and Emerging Markets. Lola was one of the earliest Googlers in Sub-Saharan Africa when the technology company began its operations in the region.

Lola shaped the regional strategy, executed on several core initiatives and led business development efforts with key SSA partners including the telcos, OEMs, digital content providers and local entrepreneurs. Lola brings significant leadership experience in business development, entrepreneurship, operational transformation and product development across several industries including technology and financial services.

In addition to Africa, Lola has substantial international working experience in North America, Europe, and Asia. She also worked in the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company, where she spent time advising senior executives on extensive strategic management topics. Lola holds a Doctorate degree in Engineering from the UniversiAnnual Report 2019/2020 ty of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Virginia. She is happily married with two kids.

Kola Masha

Managing Director

 Prior to Babban Gona, Kola was a Managing Director and CEO of a major subsidiary in the Notore Group, one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural conglomerates, where he raised US$24 Million to develop an integrated agricultural trading, production and processing business.

Furthermore, he led the development and execution of Notore’s commercial strategy across West and Central Africa, preparing the company to sell one million tons of fertilizer and establish a modern seed business.

He led the effort to raise $130 million in equity and the restructuring of $360 Million in debt. Kola brings significant leadership experience in venture capital, corporate finance, business development, marketing and operations, across four continents with multiple global companies, including GE, Notore and Abiomed. In addition, Kola brings extensive public sector experience as Senior Advisor to the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture.

In recognition for his leadership in driving positive change on the African Continent, he has received several global awards including the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, a leading leadership institute led by General Collin Powell and appointed to the Board of the African Enterprise Challenge Fund, a $250 Million fund that awards grants and repayable grants to private sector companies to support innovative business ideas in agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change and access to information and financial services. Kola holds an MBA (Honors) from Harvard and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Kola Masha

 

Prior to Babban Gona, Kola was a Managing Director and CEO of a major subsidiary in the Notore Group, one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural conglomerates, where he raised US$24 Million to develop an integrated agricultural trading, production and processing business.

Furthermore, he led the development and execution of Notore’s commercial strategy across West and Central Africa, preparing the company to sell one million tons of fertilizer and establish a modern seed business.

He led the effort to raise $130 million in equity and the restructuring of $360 Million in debt. Kola brings significant leadership experience in venture capital, corporate finance, business development, marketing and operations, across four continents with multiple global companies, including GE, Notore and Abiomed. In addition, Kola brings extensive public sector experience as Senior Advisor to the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture.

In recognition for his leadership in driving positive change on the African Continent, he has received several global awards including the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, a leading leadership institute led by General Collin Powell and appointed to the Board of the African Enterprise Challenge Fund, a $250 Million fund that awards grants and repayable grants to private sector companies to support innovative business ideas in agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change and access to information and financial services. Kola holds an MBA (Honors) from Harvard and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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