- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Founded in 2013 and located near Abuja, Dobi AgriCo Ltd is a Nigerian agri-food company that farms 200 hectares (100 of which are in active production) to grow vegetables in open fields and greenhouses for the local market. As a supplier to retail chains such as Shoprite and Spar, the company now aims to break into the export market. As part of the L.A.T. Cleveson Group, Dobi AgriCo has received substantial investment to develop a processing centre and dedicated training facilities.
With a workforce of around 200 day labourers and 12 technical managers, Dobi AgriCo prioritises skills development and community engagement. It is a member of COLEAD and a key partner under the FFM Plus programme in Nigeria.
COLEAD recently carried out a mission under FFM+ to:
- evaluate Dobi AgriCo’s existing internal training system ;
- design and formalise an improved system to be integrated into the future ‘Dobi Academy’.
- The strategic document on training includes:
- a detailed programme and budget;
- a training schedule and matrix;
- and a proposal for organising the training department.
Take a participatory approach tailored to needs
Led by COLEAD expert Fredrick Ogutu, the mission involved:
- preliminary assessments via questionnaires and virtual meetings ;
- On-site coaching from 14 to 19 April 2025 ;
- and participatory sessions to jointly develop a comprehensive strategy.
This approach was based on adult learning principles and a training needs assessment (TNA), as well as the integration of an internal network of trainers (trainers of trainers, or ToTs). Tools were drawn from e-learning systems and platforms developed by COLEAD.
Main results and deliverables
- The evaluation report highlighted gaps in training, limited resources, a lack of formalised protocols and unclear budgets.
- The 2025 training matrix covered cross-cutting skills (e.g. leadership and time management), standards (e.g. HACCP and food hygiene) and techniques (e.g. IPM and soil management). A training schedule and budget were established in collaboration with Dobi managers, in line with operational needs and growth ambitions.
- Training programme template: to structure future sessions.
- The strategic training document was presented to management in May 2025 and detailed:
- the architecture and governance of the future Dobi Academy;
- a cascade model for disseminating skills
- the criteria for selecting and monitoring trainers.
Towards an operational Dobi Academy
The Academy is currently under construction and will be jointly managed by the HR and Production teams once finalised. The tools created will enable a digital training schedule to be managed from the second half of 2025 onwards. Annual updates to the TNA and the training matrix will refine this system.
COLEAD will continue to provide support to strengthen capacities and ensure the sustainable upskilling of teams. This initiative fully aligns with COLEAD’s commitment to supporting its FFM Plus programme partner beneficiaries in developing competitive, inclusive, and resilient agri-food value chains.
This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
