Cocoa firm exposes young girls to careers in agricultural value chain

A leading agro-industrial player, Johnvents Group, has taken a decisive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s future agricultural value chain by exposing over 100 female secondary school students to careers in science, technology, and agro-processing.

The initiative, held to mark International Women’s Day 2026, formed part of the company’s broader strategy to deepen female participation in agriculture-linked industries through early mentorship and practical exposure.

The programme, under the theme “Gain to Give,” was implemented across 11 locations nationwide, with particular emphasis on Ondo State, where the group operates a cluster of cocoa processing and manufacturing facilities.

A total of 103 students, drawn from 19 secondary schools were selected based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and interest in STEM-related fields critical to modern agriculture.

The students participated in guided industrial tours across key processing hubs, including facilities in Akure, Idanre, Ile-Oluji, and Owo, where they gained first-hand insight into cocoa processing, food manufacturing, and agribusiness operations.

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The exposure offered a rare bridge between classroom learning and real-world agricultural production systems.

At each location, participants engaged with female professionals working across the agricultural value chain—from processing and quality control to engineering and operations—highlighting the growing role of women in agro-industrial transformation.

Speaking on the initiative, Managing Director of Johnvents Industries Limited, Caroline Omotosho, described the programme as a long-term investment in Nigeria’s agricultural future.

She noted that early exposure to industrial agriculture and manufacturing environments could reshape career aspirations and help build a pipeline of skilled female professionals capable of driving innovation in the sector.

She said the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s agriculture through technology, value addition, and inclusive workforce development.

She said: “What we set out to do with this programme was simple but deliberate. We believe that exposure is one of the most powerful investments an organisation can make in the next generation.

“When a young girl walks through a factory floor and sees what is possible, something changes in her. That is the return we are investing in, and it is one that will outlast any single programme or financial quarter.”

According to her, focusing on girls at the secondary school level is a strategic approach to narrowing the gender gap in agricultural science and agro-processing by nurturing interest and building capacity early.

In addition to the student-focused initiative, the Group also honoured female employees across its operations nationwide, underscoring its commitment to inclusion within its workforce and its broader impact on the industry.

With plans to scale up the initiative in the coming years, Johnvents Group’s intervention highlights the expanding role of the private sector in developing skilled talent for Nigeria’s agriculture and agro-allied industries, especially as the sector becomes more driven by technology, expertise, and innovation.