Four graduates of the University of Ilorin each received N1,500,000 in the 2024 British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation Agripreneur Programme for their innovative agricultural projects.
Four graduates of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, have each received N1,500,000 in the 2024 British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation Agripreneur Programme.
The winners, Mustapha Ibrahim, Olajire Adekunle Sherif, Oluwadare Ogunmoye, and Anuoluwapo Akinboye, were selected from eight innovative project proposals in various aspects of agriculture.
According to a statement on Saturday by the BATNF General Manager, Oludare Odusanya, the Agripreneur initiative aims to empower graduates with entrepreneurial skills and opportunities in the agricultural sector.
While announcing the winners, Odusanya noted that Ibrahim was recognized for his Tomato Awakening Project, Sherif for catfish production, Ogunmoye for maize production, and Akinboye for scaling up tomato paste production.
Odusanya said, “Out of eight innovative project proposals presented, four outstanding graduates have been selected as winners. Each winner received an award of N1,500,000 to support their agricultural venture.
“The four winners awarded from the University of Ilorin are: Mustapha Ibrahim who presented a proposal on the Tomato Awakening Project, Olajire Adekunle Sherif on Catfish production, Oluwadare Ogunmoye for Maize production and Anuoluwapo Akinboye presented a proposal on scaling up his Tomato paste production.”
“The Graduate Agripreneur Programme is a testament to our dedication to nurturing young talents and promoting innovation in agriculture. We believe in the potential of these graduates to transform the agricultural landscape and drive economic prosperity.”
He added that the winners were selected based on the innovation of their proposal, commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, and potential for scalability.
“They will each receive mentorship and support from industry experts to ensure the successful implementation and growth of their ventures,” Odusanya said.
Reacting to the students’ achievement, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Olubunmi Omotesho, who represents the Vice-Chancellor, described it as aligning with the mission of the university in producing graduates with skills that could drive economic growth.
The statement quoted Omotesho stating, “This initiative aligns with our university’s mission to produce graduates who are not only academically sound but also equipped with practical skills to drive economic growth.
“We congratulate the winners and look forward to their impactful contributions to the agricultural sector.”
Speaking on the importance of the grant, one of the recipients, Akinboye, noted that the grant would help to contribute to food security in Nigeria.
“I am honoured to be selected as a winner of the BATN Foundation Graduate Agripreneur Programme. This award will enable me to scale up my tomato cultivation project and contribute to food security in Nigeria. I am grateful for the support and mentorship provided through this programme,” he said.
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