Agroecology and Organic Agriculture Leadership Course Launches in Nigeria

Between 15 and 19 September 2025, the Organic Academy of IFOAM - Organics International and the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN) officially launched the Agroecology and Organic Agriculture Leadership Course (AOLC) in Nigeria, beginning with a five-day in-person session at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

This nine-month hybrid course, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and co-facilitated by local experts, professors Oluwakemi Irekhore and Nikru T. Meludu, Dr. Uko Ibeabuchi, Olusola Sowemimo and Jude Obi, is designed to strengthen leadership, policy engagement, and business and market development to foster inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

Over the five days, 24 participants from across Nigeria gathered to build capacity and share knowledge. Some participants travelled long distances to attend and demonstrated strong commitment and active engagement throughout the sessions, contributing valuable insights from their local contexts and experiences.

Key topics explored included:

During discussions on value chains and markets, participants showcased products from their own farms, including fresh produce, cassava flour, herbal teas, dried fish, and more, highlighting the diversity and innovation within local organic value chains. These practical demonstrations enriched conversations on product diversification and market differentiation.

A field visit to Kaspharyn Solutions, a hub supporting agribusinesses, provided participants with practical insights into entrepreneurial thinking and organisational development, reinforcing the course's emphasis on movement-building and business innovation.

I learned how to apply agroecological principles to create sustainable, resilient food systems. The course deepened my understanding of ecological farming and community engagement.

In the next months, participants will continue to engage with the course through monthly webinars, where they will dive deeper into the topics introduced in the kick off session, complemented by self-paced study materials available via an e-learning platform.

With the successful kick-off in Nigeria, the AOLC continues its mission to cultivate leadership in agroecology and organic agriculture across regions and contexts.

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