The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has officially opened applications for the 2025 edition of its flagship Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant, an initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians , including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members with the resources and support needed to build sustainable agribusiness ventures.
According to a statement released on Friday, applications opened on July 7 and will close on July 20, 2025. Interested applicants must download the BATNF Mobile App, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, to complete the application process.
Now in its sixth year, the F4F programme offers selected young agri-entrepreneurs up to ₦10 million in equity funding. In addition to this financial support, winners will gain access to a structured business accelerator bootcamp, receive one year of tailored mentorship, and join a national network of young farmers and agribusiness owners.
BAT Nigeria Foundation’s General Manager said the programme was designed to provide much more than financial backing. He explained that the Foundation sees agriculture as a key engine of economic transformation; one capable of creating jobs, ensuring food security, and fostering innovation across Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
“Farmers for the Future is more than a grant,” he noted. “It is a pathway to building youth-led agribusinesses that generate impact beyond the farm , businesses that shape communities and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Past recipients of the grant, according to BATNF, have grown from small-scale vegetable farming to managing structured agribusinesses with improved capacity and wider economic reach. The Foundation highlighted that previous winners are already contributing to local food systems and job creation through innovative practices.
In addition to funding, the programme provides participants with capacity building in areas such as financial literacy, strategic business planning, and climate-smart agriculture. Beneficiaries also receive training to reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to markets, with the aim of increasing competitiveness and profitability.
This year’s call is particularly directed at youth with viable agribusiness ideas that align with Nigeria’s broader goals of agricultural transformation and food resilience.
“We are looking for young Nigerians who are not just passionate about farming but ready to lead the sector into the future with fresh thinking and sustainable practices,” the General Manager said.
Eligible youth, including NYSC members and early-stage agri-entrepreneurs, are encouraged to submit their applications before the July 20 deadline, you can check here for full details on how to apply. The Foundation reiterated its commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers who will feed both the nation and the continent.
