Why You Should Consider Agriculture as a Nigerian Youth.

Have you ever considered a career in agriculture?

It would not be unexpected to hear “no” as an answer, especially from a young person. Young people now have more employment options that are unrestricted by norms as the world moves toward global digitalization. This has given a surge to massive innovations.

This may be the best time for you to invest time and energy into farming. Here is why:

  • Agriculture is vital to man’s survival.
  • Want to be your own boss? Think agribusiness.
  • Concerned about job security? Give agriculture a thought.
  • Agriculture offers you an opportunity for impact.
  • Engaging in agriculture has health benefits.
  • Agricultural research requires the contributions of young minds.
  • It is actually becoming a trend.

Agriculture is vital to man’s survival.

The survival of the human race depends on agriculture. Agriculture generates food for mankind and prevents malnutrition, and hunger. It boosts a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generates employment across different strata of life. The ability to produce food, which is necessary for both existence and health, makes agriculture possibly man’s most significant undertaking. As a result, it has become a vital source of income for many individuals and their families. Agriculture opens doors for several job creation ranging from food production that require services of input suppliers, processors, marketers, and management staff. This ensures the reduction in poverty and hunger; and finally, reduces crime rate among youths.

Want to be your own boss? Think agribusiness.

You can pursue a career in a variety of agribusiness fields; animal husbandry, food processing, agro-distribution, agro-marketing, crop farming, vegetable farming, poultry and fish farming, etc. You can also become your own boss, and employ people when you delve into agriculture. Visit careers in agriculture that youths can explore for additional information.

Concerned about job security? Give agriculture a thought.

There are many good career prospects in agriculture. These can be found on and off the farm, where many brand-new, high-quality jobs are being created. With the demand for aggregation, storage, processing, logistics, food preparation, restaurants, and other related services becoming increasingly important, many employment opportunities will emerge off the farm, in the larger agri-food systems.

Agriculture offers you an opportunity for impact.

Agriculture impacts global trade as it is tied to other sectors of the economy; supporting job creation and encouraging economic development. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, countries with strong agricultural sectors experience employment growth in other sectors. Countries with agricultural productivity growth and robust agriculture infrastructure also have higher per capita incomes. Basically, producers in these countries innovate through technology and farm management practices to boost agricultural productivity and profitability. By being part of agriculture, you contribute your quota to food sustainability and economic development.

Engaging in agriculture has health benefits.

Studies have shown that farming animals is good for your health as it reduces the likelihood of developing asthma and allergies when exposed to animal dander, dirt and germs. Therefore, frequent exposure to farm animals at a young age reduces the likelihood of developing these illnesses significantly. Growing up on farms gives you a powerful immune system and you are likely to experience fewer chronic diseases. This is typically attributed to increased activity and higher vitamin D levels from frequent sun exposure.

Agricultural research requires the contributions of young minds.

If Nigeria is to become self-sufficient in food production, it needs young, intelligent minds who will enhance the agricultural sector. If development research interests you, agriculture might be the field for you.

Research has been demonstrated to improve livelihoods and revolutionize agriculture. The increased need for nutrient-dense foods makes it more important than ever for innovative approaches and updated information to utilize technology in agriculture, and innovate the industry to drive future growth.

It is actually becoming a trend.

The appeal of agriculture is rising. To combat poverty and unemployment as well as broaden their networks and talents, many young people are now going into this area as a source of income. With the rise of agric-tech, agriculture is getting an increased spotlight. This is because it is a long-term global need that presents opportunities for everyone, thus, providing societal value. It is a good moment to get on board in any agricultural field to harness this gold mine that is agriculture.

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Frank Altman

Non-Executive Director

Pioneer of secondary markets for community development and $3.5B+ in managed funding.

Frank Altman is the founder and first CEO of the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), USAwhere he pioneered secondary markets for economic development loans. Under his leadership, CRF funded over $3.5 billion in loans across 50 U.S. states. He was instrumental in designing the federal New Markets Tax Credit and is an advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Altman is an Ashoka Senior Fellow and the author of A New Capitalism: Creating A Just Economy That Works For All. He brings global expertise in risk management and capital structures to Babban Gona.

Michael Jainzik

Independent Non-Executive Director

Michael Jainzik works as an independent consultant and brings his extensive expertise in the areas of agricultural finance, international investments, risk management and corporate governance. He is currently based in Rome, Italy.
 
From 2001 to 2011, Michael worked as an investment professional at KfW Development Bank, focusing on international debt financing and equity investments in investment funds and banking institutions, mainly in the areas of agricultural finance and microfinance. From 2011 to 2015 he worked as Director of KfW’s office in Windhoek. In this role, he helped manage and develop KfW’s EUR 250 million portfolio in Namibia. From 2015 to 2017, he took on the position of Head of Corporate Development at Access Microfinance Holding, where he was responsible for structuring and leading a merger process between Access Holding and another company.
 
Prior to joining Babban Gona, Michael 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 studied economics and management at the Universities of Lüneburg and Witten/Herdecke (Germany) and at ETEA – Universidad Loyola in Córdoba (Spain) and holds a Master’s degree in economics and management.

Alhaji Bello Maccido

Board Chairman

Over 32 years of executive leadership in corporate and investment banking.

Alhaji Bello Maccido is a distinguished leader in the Nigerian financial services sector. He currently serves as the Chairman of FBN Merchant Bank Ltd. and has previously held board positions at FBN Holdings Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Legacy Pension Manager Limited.

He holds the traditional title of “Wakilin Sokoto” and is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

Alhaji Maccido’s educational background includes an LL.B from Ahmadu Bello University and an MBA from Wayne State University. He is a Barrister at Law (BL) of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and an alumnus of executive programs at Harvard Business School and IMD Lausanne.

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

Non-Executive Director

Dr. Lola Masha is a seasoned technology leader with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of mobility, technology, and agriculture. She currently serves as a Partner at Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm. Previously, she was the Regional General Manager for North, East, and West Africa at Bolt, overseeing strategic operations in a high-growth mobility sector.

Her career includes leadership roles as Director of Trust and Safety at OLX Group (overseeing 30+ markets) and Country Manager for OLX Nigeria. She was also one of the earliest employees at Google Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Masha holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.Sc. from the University of Virginia.

Kola Masha

Managing Director

First leader of a for-profit social enterprise to win the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship.

Prior to co-founding Babban Gona, Kola was CEO of a subsidiary in the Notore Group, where he led a commercial strategy to sell one million tons of fertilizer and raised $130 million in equity.

He has held leadership roles at GE and Abiomed and served as a Senior Advisor to the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture.

Under his leadership, Babban Gona became the first for-profit social enterprise to win the prestigious Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, recognizing the organization’s innovative approach to transforming smallholder farming in Nigeria.

He holds an MBA with Honors from Harvard and a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.

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.