Four University Graduates Win N1.5m Each at BATN Foundation Awards

Four graduate agriprenueurs had been granted N1.5 million each by the BATN Foundation. The aim of the program is to provide undergraduates and graduates agricultural skills.

The BATN Foundation has granted N1.5 million each to four Graduate Agripreneurs from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), amounting to a total of N6 million.

This award ceremony concluded Phase III of the FUNAAB-BATN Foundation Graduate Agripreneurs Programme, held on May 23, 2024, at the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD) Phase II Building’s Lecture Theatre (Auditorium 1).

The Graduate Agripreneur Program aims to empower young talent by involving post-graduate and undergraduate students in agriculture, providing grants, skills development, and mentorship to ensure their success.

The program seeks to nurture a new generation of innovative and passionate leaders to promote sustainability and food security in Nigeria.

After a thorough selection process, nine applicants with the best documentation and business plans were shortlisted to present their ideas. Four exceptional Agripreneurs ultimately received the grants: Miss Oluwafunmilayo Adegboyega and Mr. Oluwaseun Akosile for Broiler Production, and Mr. Johnson Fashina and Mr. Oluwayomi Olajide for Catfish Farming. Other notable participants included Akeem Adeyemi, Moses Abayomi, Akinola Usman, and Bolaji Ololade.

At the event, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Prof. Kola Adebayo, representing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, emphasized the competitive nature of the selection process and praised the BATN Foundation’s support, which expanded the programme’s beneficiaries. Prof. Kehinde noted the rigorous evaluation based on entrepreneurial skills, innovation, business relevance, financial projections, and presentation skills.

Prof. Kehinde stated, “The selection process was highly competitive, and the Committee’s decision was based on the outstanding presentations made by the participants. This programme underscores our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial skills among our students, preparing them for successful careers in agriculture.”

Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATN Foundation, detailed the evaluation criteria, including the Agripreneurs’ capacity, evidence of entrepreneurial skills, and the uniqueness and logic of their business plans. Mr. Odusanya expressed pride in supporting the promising Agripreneurs, acknowledging their potential to impact the agricultural sector and broader economy positively.

Miss Aderanti Oni, a Phase II grant recipient for Broiler Production, shared her success story, attributing her dedication to agriculture to her passion for a healthy nation. Since receiving the grant, she has successfully completed three production cycles.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, INDEPENDENT