11/24/2025

PestInsight Launches Global Apprenticeship Program and PestInsight Academy to Empower the Next Generation of Public Health and Pest Management Professionals

The PestInsight Initiative, a global youth-focused public health and pest management project founded by Shofu Babalola, has officially launched the PestInsight Apprenticeship Program and the PestInsight Academy — two transformative platforms designed to train, certify, and empower young professionals worldwide in pest management, environmental hygiene, and the business of pest control. Please consider how you might support Shofu's mission to educate, empower and elevate pest control awareness worldwide. Click here to learn about various partnership opportunities, from technical collaboration, to internship / placement opportunities, to policy or advocacy support.

Building a Skilled and Job-Ready Generation

The PestInsight Public Health & Environmental Management Apprenticeship Program (PPHEMAP) is a global youth-focused training initiative designed to equip participants with practical skills in pest management, environmental health, and community hygiene for a healthier and more sustainable future.

This 3-month blended international training program combines online learning, field experience, and community-based environmental projects. It aims to equip participants from Africa and other regions with practical expertise in pest control, vector management, environmental sanitation, and agricultural hygiene — aligning with global goals for youth empowerment and sustainable public health.

The apprenticeship will run from June to August 2026, with modules covering:

• Month 1: Online theory sessions (2–3 per week) led by experts in pest management, safety, and environmental health.
  
  
• Month 2: Hands-on field training through approved local partners and institutions in each participating country.
  
  
• Month 3: Group projects, community impact assignments, and a formal global graduation and certification ceremony.
  
  

Through this initiative, PestInsight aims to train over 1,000 young professionals across Africa and beyond by 2030, preparing them for careers in pest management, environmental services, agricultural health, and sanitation entrepreneurship.

Introducing PestInsight Academy – Learn Anytime, Anywhere

Alongside the apprenticeship program, PestInsight has launched the PestInsight Academy — a global online learning platform offering both self-paced and physical structured courses on topics such as:

• Urban and Agricultural Pest Management
  
  
• Vector Control and Environmental Health
  
  
• Safety and Chemical Handling
  
  
• The Business of Pest Control
  
  

Students can take interactive online courses, complete assessments, and receive instant certificates directly from their learner portals.

The Academy is structured to meet international learning standards, enabling learners to earn globally recognized certificates that can support professional development and licensing requirements in pest management and environmental health.

The platform is open to multiple instructors globally, allowing certified educators and pest control experts to publish their own courses, earn from enrollments, and contribute to advancing pest management education across Africa and beyond.

PestInsight is currently seeking institutional partnerships and endorsements from global and regional organizations, as well as international public health bodies, to strengthen the recognition and reach of its programs.

Highlight: PestInsight for Schools – University of Ibadan Edition

As part of its outreach and educational commitment, PestInsight recently conducted a successful “PestInsight for Schools” event at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university.

The initiative focused on raising awareness about bedbug infestations within student hostels and promoting effective, sustainable control practices. Through interactive sessions and practical demonstrations, students learned about pest identification, preventive hygiene, and the role of integrated pest management in public health.

This landmark event marked the beginning of PestInsight’s broader vision to take pest management education to schools and universities across Africa, creating a new generation of pest-aware citizens and professionals.

A Vision for Global Impact

According to Shofu Babalola, Convener of the PestInsight Initiative and Managing Director of SB Super Pest Solutions:

“Public health is global, and pest management plays a vital role in it. Through PestInsight, we are not just training technicians — we are nurturing innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs who will lead the next phase of sustainable pest control across the world.”

PestInsight invites corporate organizations, NGOs, professional associations, and government agencies to partner or sponsor training cohorts, provide scholarships, or become academic collaborators.

About PestInsight Initiative

The PestInsight Initiative, powered by SB Super Pest Solutions, is dedicated to advancing public health education, pest management awareness, and environmental improvement through training, innovation, and advocacy.

PestInsight is Africa’s foremost global pest education and awareness platform, leveraging media, schools, and digital tools to educate individuals and communities on the importance of pest control, public health, and environmental safety.

Its mission is to build a globally connected community of pest management professionals who are equipped with knowledge, ethics, and skills to create a cleaner, healthier, and pest-free world.