The National Youth Service Corps and the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation have renewed their long-standing partnership to strengthen youth participation in agribusiness, reaffirming a shared commitment to job creation, enterprise development and food security across Nigeria.
The renewed collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Abuja and extends a programme first launched in 2019 under the foundation’s Farmers for the Future initiative. The project is designed to support young Nigerian graduates with funding, skills and mentorship to build sustainable agribusiness enterprises that can scale beyond subsistence farming.
Under the new agreement, the partnership will run for another three years, deepening efforts to promote youth-driven agricultural entrepreneurship and expand economic inclusion. The renewal reflects continuity rather than a fresh start, building on a framework that has already demonstrated tangible outcomes for participating corps members.
The foundation noted that the programme goes beyond grant disbursement, focusing on creating a support system that combines mentorship, structure and long-term guidance. This approach is intended to help young graduates view agribusiness as a serious business pathway capable of generating income, employment and resilience, particularly for small and emerging enterprises in the agricultural value chain.
Since inception, the initiative has leveraged the NYSC’s national reach to introduce corps members to agriculture as a viable enterprise option, positioning the sector as a source of innovation, job creation and food security rather than a fallback occupation. The renewed MoU therefore represents a consolidation of impact, strengthening a collaboration that continues to unlock opportunities for young Nigerians.
For the 2026 cycle, the foundation will commit up to N10 million in grant funding to support six outstanding corps members with viable agribusiness ideas selected through a competitive process. The funding will be delivered through a mix of cash and non-cash inputs to improve execution, reduce operational risks and enhance sustainability, especially for early-stage agribusiness ventures.
The grant structure allocates N3 million to the top finalist, N2 million each to two runners-up, and N1 million each to three additional beneficiaries. Selected participants will undergo a structured development process that includes an intensive boot camp, mentorship from agribusiness professionals and continuous project evaluation to track progress and outcomes.
To promote accountability and measurable results, grant administration and monitoring will be handled by an independent implementing partner. This is expected to strengthen transparency while ensuring that funded projects align with enterprise development goals and deliver real economic value.
Beyond funding, the programme also serves as a national awareness platform, using NYSC’s orientation camps and digital channels to reshape perceptions of agriculture among young graduates. The goal is to position agribusiness as a modern, scalable and commercially viable sector that can support MSMEs, strengthen local food systems and contribute to national economic stability.
As part of the renewed partnership, the NYSC will continue to support awareness, participation and programme endorsement, while collaborating on monitoring, evaluation and key milestones throughout the project lifecycle.
