Affiliated Foundations: Nigeria

The Foundation has supported charitable work in Nigeria since its inception, originally with a focus on technical education. The ‘Nigeria Advisory Panel’ of the A. G. Leventis Foundation was inaugurated in 1979. Between 1981 and 1987, the Foundation donated equipment, workshop tools and teaching aids to ten technical colleges in order to help promote vocational training.

In 1988 the ‘Leventis Foundation Nigeria’ was formally established to take over and expand the work of this body. In support of the Federal Government's new Educational Programme with its emphasis on self-sufficiency in food production, the Foundation took a major policy decision by choosing as its main goal the training of young farmers in modern agricultural methods.

Agricultural Schools, Nigeria and Ghana

To date nine schools have been established in Nigeria and Ghana specialising in innovative ways of training small scale farmers to improve productivity, efficiency and environmental sensitivity, taking advantage of the latest research at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and elsewhere. The trainees spend a year at the schools and then, returning to their farms and communities, are advised and supported by the schools’ extension programmes. By their example, they transfer their skills to other farmers in their area, whilst the schools also organise shorter training courses and farmers' days for the surrounding communities. 

For more information and latest news, visit the website of the Leventis Foundation Nigeria.

Weppa Farm​​

Weppa Farm is a 13,000-hectare farm located near Agenebode, Etsako East local government area in Edo State, Nigeria and was acquired by the Leventis Foundation in 1999. Since 2006 the Foundation has invested significantly in the development of Weppa Farm with the aim of developing a leading agricultural enterprise, focused on agricultural excellence, sustainability and the development of its people. The Foundation is keen to see agricultural development, rural employment, national food security and local processing of raw materials. Currently, all funds generated are re-invested into the development of Weppa Farm and once fully developed any surplus will be used to expand the operations of the farm schools. 

The farm currently consists of 4,000 hectares of cleared land, an area of conserved woodland and previously uncleared land, which is now being cleared for cultivation. It is a mixed farm with plantations, arable and livestock operations together with integrated industrial processing operations. The farm currently employs over 700 people. 

For more information and latest news, visit the website of Weppa Farm.