The BATN Foundation has awarded N25.5m in grants to 17 graduate agripreneurs under its 2026 Graduate Agripreneur Programme as part of efforts to promote youth entrepreneurship and agricultural development in Nigeria.
In a statement, the foundation disclosed that each beneficiary received an equity-free grant of N1.5m following a series of competitive pitch events held at the University of Ilorin, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
According to the foundation, the programme forms part of its Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Programme, which seeks to equip young Nigerians with funding, mentorship and technical support to transform innovative agricultural ideas into viable businesses.
Speaking on the initiative, the General Manager of BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, said the organisation remains committed to supporting young people who are shaping the future of agriculture.
“Young people remain critical to the future of agriculture in Nigeria. Through initiatives like GAP, BATN Foundation continues to create platforms that support innovation, enterprise development, and sustainable agricultural solutions among youths,” Odusanya said.
The foundation stated that participants presented business ideas across several agricultural value chains, including precision crop cultivation, poultry and livestock production, agro-processing, agritech and commercial beekeeping.
It added that a panel of agricultural experts and business development consultants assessed the entries based on originality, financial viability, scalability, sustainability and market potential before selecting the winners.
Odusanya noted that the programme goes beyond providing grants by helping beneficiaries build sustainable agribusinesses capable of contributing to the country’s economic growth and food security.
The foundation said it has empowered more than 60 graduate agripreneurs since the programme’s inception and disbursed over N90m to support early-stage agricultural enterprises.
The beneficiaries from the University of Ilorin are Joseph Awoniyi, Bisola Sulei, Abdulrafiu Akanbi, Sunday Oloba, Olabanji Fehintola and Adeola Ayilara.
At the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, the winners were Sunday John Alomaja, Omotayo Arowosegbe, Temitayo Abisodun Eletu, Abimbola Oyetade, Hezekiah Toyinbo, Elizabeth Oshungboye and Odunayo Fakeye.
The recipients from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, are Kenneth Azubike, Chukwudi Emmanuella Chimechellum, Ogwuru Prince George and Grace Omabe.
The foundation said the intervention aligns with efforts to promote economic diversification, strengthen food systems and create employment opportunities by supporting youth-led agricultural ventures across the country.
