Four graduates from the University of Ilorin in Kwara State have each been awarded N1,500,000 through the 2024 British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) Agripreneur Programme for their innovative agricultural projects. Mustapha Ibrahim, Olajire Adekunle Sherif, Oluwadare Ogunmoye, and Anuoluwapo Akinboye were recognized for their proposals, which include initiatives like tomato cultivation, catfish production, maize farming, and tomato paste scaling.
The programme, overseen by Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATNF, aims to empower young graduates with entrepreneurial skills in agriculture. It emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and scalability in project selection. Selected winners receive not only financial support but also mentorship from industry experts to ensure the success and expansion of their ventures.
Professor Olubunmi Omotesho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Ilorin, commended the graduates for their achievements, noting the alignment of the programme with the university’s mission to produce skilled graduates capable of driving economic growth. Anuoluwapo Akinboye, one of the recipients, highlighted the programme’s significance in enhancing food security in Nigeria through agricultural innovation.
Overall, the BATNF Agripreneur Programme aims to foster economic prosperity and sustainable development by nurturing young talent and promoting innovation within the agricultural sector.
