In a strategic effort to boost youth-driven innovation and sustainability in Nigeria's agricultural sector, the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation has awarded ₦1.5 million each to 18 graduates under its 2025 Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP).
The initiative supports young agribusiness entrepreneurs from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the University of Ilorin, and the University of Ibadan, offering seed funding, mentorship, and technical assistance to help them launch and grow their agricultural ventures.
The selected businesses span various agricultural value chains including cassava farming, poultry production, fishery, silviculture, vegetable cultivation, meat processing, and beekeeping.
At FUNAAB, the winners were celebrated in a ceremony hosted at the university's Senate Building, with recognition given to innovators like Habeebullahi Tijani (cassava) and Oke Michael (poultry and value-added products). The university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kola Adebayo, commended BATN Foundation's commitment to youth empowerment through agriculture.
In Ilorin, six entrepreneurs, including Abdulahi Ayomide (sorghum) and John Olumide Adeyemi (vegetables), stood out after a competitive pitch process. The University of Ilorin's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, reiterated the school's dedication to producing solution-oriented graduates.
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The University of Ibadan ceremony featured innovative winners like Akintayo Akintunde (apiary) and Khadeejah Owolabi (meat processing), reflecting a strong focus on sustainability and impact.
BATN Foundation's General Manager, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, highlighted that the programme not only funds agribusinesses but also invests in the long-term transformation of Nigeria's food systems. He emphasized the Foundation's mission to build a robust agricultural sector led by the energy and ideas of young Nigerians.
By partnering with universities and key stakeholders, BATN Foundation is actively laying the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural ecosystem, with the 2025 GAP cohort serving as a beacon of what's possible through youth-driven innovation and strategic investment.
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