The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has awarded N6 million to four exceptional graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, under its Graduate Agripreneur Programme. This initiative aims to empower young agripreneurs with grants, skills development, and mentorship to foster innovation and sustainability in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
At an event held at the Sasakawa Audiovisual Lab, Faculty of Agriculture, eight applicants with compelling business plans were shortlisted following a rigorous selection process, and four outstanding agripreneurs emerged as grant recipients. Each recipient, Olakunle Olajire Sheriff, Muhsinah AlMustapha Ibrahim, Oluwadare Ogunmonye, and Anuoluwapo Akinboye, received ₦1.5 million.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Wahab Egbewole, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Omotesho, expressed his appreciation to BATNF for selecting the University for this agricultural entrepreneurship programme. He emphasized that the project aims to empower graduates by providing essential resources and support to ensure their success in agribusiness. “We want to prove to our graduates that agribusiness works and is a viable career path,” he affirmed.
Prof. Egbewole also expressed gratitude to BATNF for bringing such a positive programme to the ‘Better by Far’ institution and assured the Foundation of the University’s commitment to the project’s success, highlighting its potential to boost food security in the country.
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Oluyemisi Fawole, noted that the collaboration between the University of Ilorin and BATNF aims to inspire and promote agricultural business among students. She assured that the Faculty will provide guidance for the winners, who are expected to establish their farms on the University of Ilorin campus. The initiative, which marks the first cohort, has three additional cohorts planned for the future.
The project aims to encourage young graduates to venture into fishery, crop production, and animal production within the University environment. The call for applications in June received 19 responses, and after a thorough selection process, eight candidates were shortlisted to present their business proposals, leading to the selection of the four winners.
General Manager of BATNF, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, pointed out that the Graduate Agripreneur Programme aims to empower young agripreneurs with grants, skills development, and mentorship. He congratulated the winners, noting that their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit are a beacon of hope for the future of agriculture in Nigeria. Mr. Odusanya emphasized the need to rekindle interest in agriculture among young people, pointing out that the aging farming population necessitates urgent action to achieve food security and sufficiency. “We want young graduates to believe in agriculture once again,” he said.
Mr. Odusanya praised the University of Ilorin for its support and enabling environment, which facilitated the successful launch of the project. He noted that the initiative had previously been introduced at the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, but found a particularly conducive setting at Unilorin.
The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) was established as an independent charity by British American Tobacco Nigeria in November 2002, with a start-up grant of US$1 million.
