Four graduates from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, have each won N1,500,000 in the 2024 British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) Agripreneur Programme. The recipients, Mustapha Ibrahim, Olajire Adekunle Sherif, Oluwadare Ogunmoye, and Anuoluwapo Akinboye, were recognised for their innovative agricultural project proposals.
According to BATNF General Manager Oludare Odusanya, the initiative aims to empower graduates with entrepreneurial skills and opportunities in the agricultural sector. The winners were chosen from eight project proposals and each will receive N1,500,000 to support their ventures. The winning projects included the Tomato Awakening Project by Ibrahim, catfish production by Sherif, maize production by Ogunmonye, and scaling up tomato paste production by Akinboye.
Odusanya emphasized the program’s goal of nurturing young talent and promoting innovation in agriculture, stating, “We believe in the potential of these graduates to transform the agricultural landscape and drive economic prosperity.” The winners were selected based on the innovation of their proposals, commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, and scalability potential. They will also receive mentorship and support from industry experts to ensure the successful implementation and growth of their projects.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Olubunmi Omotesho, representing the Vice-Chancellor, praised the achievement, highlighting that it aligns with the university’s mission to produce graduates equipped with practical skills to drive economic growth. Omotesho stated, “We congratulate the winners and look forward to their impactful contributions to the agricultural sector.”
One of the recipients, Akinboye, expressed gratitude, noting that the grant would help contribute to food security in Nigeria. “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,” Akinboye said.
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