The BATN Foundation has expanded its flagship Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP) to the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), awarding business grants to four outstanding graduates in a move aimed at boosting agribusiness innovation and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
The grant presentation ceremony, held at the university campus, celebrated the entrepreneurial achievements of Ibiam Chioma, Ugwu Chibuzor, Uwa Chukwuemeka, and Ngama Vivian, who emerged winners after pitching their agribusiness ideas to a panel of judges.
With the expansion to MOUAU, the programme has now reached four leading agricultural universities in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, and Michael Okpara University, empowering 22 graduate agripreneurs in 2025 alone with a combined grant value of ₦33 million.
The Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP) is designed to support fresh graduates with innovative agribusiness ideas by providing not only funding, but also mentorship, training, and enterprise development opportunities.
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Speaking during the ceremony, Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATN Foundation, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector through youth-led innovation.
“Our goal is not just to provide financial grants but to build a platform where young agripreneurs can thrive, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth in the food system. The passion and creativity of these graduates prove that the future of agribusiness in Nigeria is bright,” Odusanya stated.
University Leadership Applauds Initiative
The event was attended by the university’s top management, including Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maduebibi Ofo Iwe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Nneoma Elechi Obasi, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, who commended BATN Foundation for investing in young talents.
Professor Iwe praised the winners for their courage to transform ideas into practical agribusiness ventures, describing the programme as a “turning point” for agriculture graduates who often face challenges accessing finance and mentorship after school.
A Boost for Agribusiness and Job Creation
Agriculture remains a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy, but young graduates often struggle with limited access to capital and viable business networks. Initiatives like GAP help close this gap by equipping graduates with both the financial resources and entrepreneurial skills needed to turn small ventures into thriving businesses.
The four grant winners expressed gratitude to BATN Foundation, pledging to scale their ventures to create jobs, boost food production, and inspire other youths to embrace agribusiness as a viable career path.
For young entrepreneurs and MSMEs, the BATN Foundation’s expansion of GAP is a lesson in the power of strategic partnerships between private organisations and educational institutions. By investing in youth, fostering innovation, and providing critical seed funding, agripreneurship is being positioned as a sustainable solution to food security, unemployment, and economic growth in Nigeria.
