Olam Nigeria Limited has sought a strategic partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to expand aquaculture development and create more opportunities for youth empowerment across Nigeria.

The General Manager of Olam Nigeria, Mrs Morenike Alayerogun, made the request when she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the NYSC on Tuesday, Alayerogun said about 200 Corps Members were currently serving with Olam in various fields.

She said the company remained committed to supporting Federal Government initiatives on nation-building, youth development and mentorship for Corps Members.

Alayerogun said Olam had completed what she described as the largest research and development institute for aquaculture in Ilorin, Kwara State, while another factory was under construction in Asaba, Delta State.

She added that the company had partnered with universities across the country to bring academic specialists to the Ilorin institute for a one-year training programme before deploying them to farmers nationwide.

According to her, combining theoretical knowledge with practical training would improve the productivity and sustainability of aquaculture operations.

She therefore requested the deployment of more Corps Members, particularly to support farm operations in Kwara State.

Pledging full welfare support for the participants, Alayerogun said, "We will accommodate and feed them, and after one year, we will attach them to our farmers all over the nation."

She also proposed a joint training programme with the NYSC under which participating Corps Members could subsequently access support from the Bank of Industry to establish their own businesses.

Responding, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described unemployment as a global challenge affecting young people and stressed the importance of agribusiness to Nigeria's economy.

Nafiu commended Olam for its contributions to the economy and its efforts to empower young people. He, however, said the NYSC was opposed to the misuse or underutilisation of Corps Members by employers.

"We want to thank you for the value addition to our Corps Members," the Director General said.

Nafiu said a formal Memorandum of Understanding would be required to clearly define the responsibilities of both organisations, stressing that the NYSC remained committed to the security and welfare of Corps Members.