AGRA Awards ₦17m To 10 Young Agripreneurs From 10,000 Applicants

No fewer than 10 young Nigerian agripreneurs have emerged winners of the Youth in Agribusiness Innovation Contest (YAIC), sharing ₦17 million in cash prizes in a competition that attracted more than 10,000 applicants nationwide.

The competition, supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), is aimed at identifying promising youth-led agricultural enterprises and strengthening their capacity to become competitive, investment-ready businesses.

The awards were presented on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the GROW Nigerian National MSME Conference 2026 in Lagos, following a rigorous selection process involving multiple stages of assessment and live pitching.

The competition was organised under the Nigerian Business Development Services (BDS) Ecosystem Project in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and other partners.

Cynthia Adams of Yac Farms and Foods Ltd, Kaduna State, emerged overall winner, receiving ₦5 million, while Damillare Kazeem of Ofadahub Nigeria Ltd, Lagos State, came second with ₦3 million.

Kabir Abiso Kabir of Jiwe Integrated Concept, Nasarawa State, took third position with ₦2 million.

The other seven finalists received ₦1 million each. They are Chigozirim Israel of Riwe, FCT; Blessing Ejika of Adonroi Spectrum Ltd, Niger State; Adejare Adesewa Mary of Brich Agronatural, Oyo State; Dauda Guto Ahmed of Darab Agro-Allied and General Services, Nasarawa State; Maryam Mahommed of Farmanta Ltd, Niger State; Favour Emmanuel of Temiherbs and Spices Enterprises, Kaduna State; and Amini Muhammad Gaddafi of MGA Allied Global Services, Kaduna State.

Speaking at the ceremony, AGRA’s Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Rufus Idris, represented by Dr. Godswill Aguiyi, said the cash prizes should be regarded as a starting point rather than an end in themselves.

He said although financial awards could provide immediate support for young businesses, sustainable growth in the agricultural sector required access to affordable finance, mentorship, business development services and reliable markets.

According to him, the challenge facing many agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) goes beyond access to grants, stressing that stronger institutional and market support systems are needed to help them scale their operations.

“This prize is a vote of confidence, not a finish line. A cash award can give a young business the push it needs this year, but on its own it cannot fix what keeps so many of Nigeria’s agricultural SMEs small: costly and scarce finance, too little mentorship and business support, and the daily struggle to reach reliable markets,” Idris said.

He called for stronger collaboration among government, development partners, financial institutions and private sector operators to create an enabling environment for youth-led agribusinesses.

He also identified technology, supportive policies and stronger connections between young entrepreneurs, buyers and investors as critical to building sustainable agricultural enterprises.

Idris said the more than 10,000 applications received for the competition demonstrated the growing interest of young Nigerians in agriculture as a viable business and source of economic opportunities.

“More than 10,000 young Nigerians have told us, through their applications, that they see agriculture as a business and a future. Our responsibility now, as government, development partners, financiers and the private sector, is to make sure the system around them is ready to back that ambition,” he said.

The finalists were selected through a multi-stage assessment process culminating in live pitching sessions facilitated by PLUS Incubation Hub Ltd, working with SMEDAN, the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Kaduna Business School (KBS) and Jesnoch International Limited.

The contest was open to Nigerians aged between 18 and 35 operating businesses across different segments of the agrifood value chain.

Speaking on behalf of the winners, Adams said the award would strengthen her company’s operations and create opportunities for further expansion.

“With this support, we will grow our business, take on new opportunities and mentor more young people to build their own agribusinesses,” she said.

The awards ceremony formed part of SMEDAN’s 26th MSME Conference, held in Lagos from November 7 to 10, 2026.

AGRA said the competition was part of its broader strategy to identify promising agricultural enterprises, strengthen their business capacities, improve their bankability and connect them to finance and markets.

Through the Nigerian BDS Ecosystem Project, the organisation and its partners are working to strengthen the network of business development service providers supporting agricultural SMEs.

The initiative is expected to address some of the structural challenges limiting the growth of youth-led agribusinesses and improve their capacity to create jobs, attract investment and contribute to Nigeria’s food security.

Chdi Ugwu is a correspondent with Independent Newspapers.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Independent Newspapers Limited, registered on July 17, 2001 (RC No: 419927), commenced publication on October 1, 2001. With registered office at 15b, Daranijo Street, off Odusami street, off Wemco road, Ogba, Ikeja