FCAIB Explores Partnership with Coker Farms to Expand Industrial Training Opportunities for Students

By Oluwatobi Fadairo

The Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (FCAIB), has commenced discussions with Coker Farms on a proposed partnership aimed at expanding industrial training opportunities for students and strengthening practical agricultural education.

The Provost of the College, Professor Jonathan J. Atungwu, received the General Manager of Coker Farms, Miss Bidemi Adekunle, who visited the College on behalf of the President of the company, Mr. Adebayo Coker, to discuss a proposed partnership that will enhance industrial training opportunities for FCAIB students. Members of the College Management Team and the President of the Students' Union Government (SUG), Oluwafemi Arala, were also present at the meeting.

The meeting focused on exploring areas of collaboration that will provide students of the College with opportunities to undertake industrial training in a commercial farming environment where they can gain hands-on experience and develop the practical skills required for successful careers in agriculture.

Welcoming the visitor, Professor Atungwu commended Coker Farms for its interest in partnering with the College. He reaffirmed FCAIB's commitment to building meaningful partnerships with organisations in the agricultural sector to complement classroom learning with practical experience and prepare students for the demands of the workplace.

The Provost noted that collaboration between educational institutions and industry plays an important role in producing graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience required to contribute meaningfully to agricultural development.

Speaking during the meeting, Miss Adekunle said the idea of partnering with FCAIB was conceived by the President of Coker Farms, Mr. Adebayo Coker, after recognising the practical strengths of students trained in agricultural colleges.

She explained that the company believes students of agricultural colleges possess the hands-on knowledge and technical skills needed to thrive in commercial farming, making FCAIB an ideal institution for the proposed partnership.

Miss Adekunle added that Coker Farms is committed to investing in young Nigerian professionals by providing opportunities for them to gain practical industry experience and build rewarding careers in agriculture.

She disclosed that students selected under the proposed industrial training programme would receive a monthly stipend of ₦40,000, accommodation and meals throughout the training period.

According to her, the programme is designed to expose students to modern commercial poultry production, enabling them to develop technical competence, gain valuable workplace experience and build the confidence required to succeed in the agricultural industry.

She further stated that Coker Farms believes partnerships with institutions such as FCAIB will contribute to developing a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria's agricultural sector and strengthening the nation's food production efforts.

The meeting ended with both parties expressing optimism about the proposed collaboration. Discussions are expected to continue ahead of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will provide the framework for the partnership and guide its implementation.

The proposed collaboration reflects FCAIB's continued commitment to strengthening industry partnerships that enrich students' learning experiences, promote practical agricultural education and produce graduates equipped with the skills and experience needed to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Nigeria's agricultural sector.

FCAIB, the first, the best!