The BATN Foundation has reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable agricultural development by hosting its 2026 Graduate Agripreneur Programme.

The initiative, which spanned three of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, culminated in the award of N1.5 million in equity-free grants to each of the 17 selected outstanding graduate agripreneurs.

The competitive pitch events were held at the University of Ilorin, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

This enterprise drive brought together brilliant young minds driving cutting-edge business concepts designed to radically transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector through technology, sustainability, and commercial viability.

The Graduate Agripreneur Programme operates as a strategic pillar under the foundation’s wider youth empowerment and entrepreneurship programme structured to bridge the resource gap for young Nigerians, equipping them with equity-free capital, mentorship and technical support to transform academic knowledge into scalable, wealth-generating agribusiness ventures.

Speaking on the initiative, General Manager of the Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, emphasised that reshaping Nigeria’s economic trajectory required intentional investment in the youth demographic.

He stated that young people hold the master key to the future of agriculture and food sustainability in Nigeria.

Through this programme, the foundation is cultivating a new vanguard of agricultural entrepreneurs, moving beyond simply distributing grants to building sustainable, data-driven enterprises capable of driving long-term structural transformation within Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.

He said: “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.”

The rigorous pitch sessions saw graduates present solutions across diverse agricultural value chains, including precision crop cultivation, poultry and livestock development, agro-processing, agritech, and commercial beekeeping.

Elite panel of agricultural experts and business development consultants who evaluated entries based on originality, financial feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and market potential.

Since its inception, the initiative has directly empowered over 60 graduate agripreneurs, disbursing 90m+ in the process and providing the vital early-stage runways required to build resilient business and brands.

The winners emerged across the participating institutions, at the University of Ilorin, the recipients were Joseph Awoniyi, Bisola Sulei, Abdulrafiu Akanbi, Sunday Oloba, Olabanji Fehintola, and Adeola Ayilara.

For the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, the grant winners included Sunday John Alomaja, Omotayo Arowosegbe, Temitayo Abisodun Eletu, Abimbola Oyetade, Hezekiah Toyinbo, Elizabeth Oshungboye, and Odunayo Fakeye.

At the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Kenneth Azubike, Chukwudi Emmanuella Chimechellum, Ogwuru Prince George, and Grace Omabe emerged as the outstanding participants.