The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has awarded ₦10 million to six outstanding young agripreneurs as part of its Farmers for the Future (F4F) Cohort 5.0 Program. The initiative aims to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector by equipping young agripreneurs with resources and tools to innovate and scale their businesses.
Grant Allocation
Grand Prize Winner: Tolu Ajibola, CEO of Tolu Ajibola Farms, received ₦3 million in equity-free capital.
“This victory is a validation of my dreams. The F4F programme has armed me with the skills, insights, and resources to scale my business and contribute meaningfully to sustainable farming in Nigeria,” Ajibola said.
First Runners-Up:
Chinaza Mbah, founder of Nana’s Delight Foodstuff.
Aishat Albashir, CEO of A&A Green Farms. Each received ₦2 million to propel their businesses forward.
Second Runners-Up:
Kanadi Usman, Abubakar Yakubu, and Emediong Effiong. Each received ₦1 million in funding to support their ventures.
Impact of the F4F Program
The F4F program is more than a financial grant; it offers:
Mentorship: Winners are inducted into the exclusive F4F alumni network, providing them with mentorship, industry linkages, and peer collaboration opportunities.
Capacity Building: Participants gain tools and insights to address challenges such as limited access to mechanization, financial grants, and high-yield seeds.
Adetola Oniyelu, Project Manager of BATNF, described the initiative as an investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and youth:
“We’re empowering agripreneurs who are not only creating jobs but also pioneering sustainable practices that drive agriculture forward.”
Driving Food Security and Job Creation
The program highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigeria’s youth, showcasing innovative solutions in areas such as aquaculture and tech-driven farming. BATNF’s commitment through the F4F initiative aligns with broader efforts to tackle food insecurity and unemployment in Africa’s most populous nation.
The success of Cohort 5.0 underscores BATNF’s dedication to fostering sustainable development in agriculture and supporting the next generation of agripreneurs.
