The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has awarded N6 million to four outstanding graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, as part of its Graduate Agripreneur Programme.
The Graduate Agripreneur Programme initiative aims to empower young agripreneurs with grants, skills development, and mentorship, driving innovation and sustainability in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
At an event held at SasakawaAudiovisual 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.
They are Olakunle Olajire Sheriff, Muhsinah AlMustaphaIbrahim, Oluwadare Ogunmonye, and Anuoluwapo Akinboye, who got ₦1.5 million each.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. WahabEgbewole, SAN, expressed his appreciation to the BATNF for selecting the University for participation in the agricultural entrepreneurship programme.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Omotesho, the Vice Chancellor said 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.
He also expressed gratitude to the 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, adding that the initiative will further boost the food security in the country.
Speaking earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Oluyemisi Fawole, noted that the primary objective of the collaboration between the University of Ilorin and the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation is to inspire and promote agricultural business among students.
She assured her audience that the Faculty will provide guidance for the winners as the recipients of the awards are expected to establish their farms on the University of Ilorin campus.
She said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BATNF last year was aimed to drive an agricultural project demonstrating the viability of agribusiness.
Prof. Fawole noted that this initiative marks the first cohort, with three additional cohorts planned for the future where beneficiaries will also emerge.
The project, which will culminate in a competition, aims to encourage young graduates to venture into fishery, crop production, and animal production within the University environment.
The Dean explained that the call for applications in June received 19 responses. After a thorough selection process, eight candidates were shortlisted to present their business proposals, and four winners were eventually chosen.
In his remarks, the General Manager of British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Mr Oludare Odusanya, pointed out that the Graduate Agripreneur Programme initiative aims to empower young agripreneurs with grants, skills development, and mentorship, driving innovation and sustainability in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
While congratulating the winners, Mr Odusanya reminded them that their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit are a beacon of hope for the future of agriculture in Nigeria. Mr. Odusanya, who spoke passionately about the need to rekindle interest in agriculture among the young people, pointed 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. Ogunsanya 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.
