FUNAAB to Deepen Partnership with Mastercard Foundation, IDH to Boost Student Entrepreneurship

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), is set to deepen its engagement with the Mastercard Foundation and IDH (The Sustainable Trade Initiative) to strengthen student entrepreneurship, expand agribusiness opportunities and explore potential funding support for its entrepreneurial development initiatives.

The proposed collaboration came into focus on October 13, 2026, when representatives of the Mastercard Foundation, IDH, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Christian Aid Nigeria visited the Vice-Chancellor’s Office to examine FUNAAB’s approach to promoting student entrepreneurship, particularly through the Women in Sourcing and Enterprise (WISE) Project, which the university has implemented since 2025 under the leadership of IDH.

Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, reaffirmed FUNAAB’s commitment to teaching, research and community development through extension services. He noted that these core responsibilities equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address societal challenges and establish sustainable enterprises.

Prof. Kehinde highlighted the university’s strengths in agricultural education, research and innovation, emphasising its capacity to promote entrepreneurship by translating academic knowledge into practical solutions and viable business opportunities across agriculture and related value chains.

He welcomed the delegation’s interest in FUNAAB’s student entrepreneurship model and expressed optimism that constructive engagement with development partners would broaden opportunities for students and further strengthen the university’s entrepreneurial drive.

Discussions centred on the WISE Project, which provides a framework for connecting students, particularly women, with enterprise development and sourcing opportunities.

The engagement also explored how collaboration with the visiting organisations could strengthen existing initiatives and create additional pathways for students to develop sustainable businesses.

The delegation was led by the Country Director of IDH, Eniola Fabusoro. Other principal representatives included the Country Director of AGRA Nigeria, Dr. Rufus Idris; the Director of Agrifood Systems, Pan-African Programs, at the Mastercard Foundation, Wambui Chege; and Victor Arokoyo of Christian Aid Nigeria.

Other members of the delegation included specialists in programme management, gender, agricultural finance, digital agriculture, monitoring and evaluation, grants, livestock production and communications. Their participation brought diverse expertise to discussions on entrepreneurship and agricultural development.

The visit provided an opportunity for the organisations to gain insights into FUNAAB’s efforts to prepare students for entrepreneurship and identify potential areas of collaboration, particularly in agriculture, agribusiness development and inclusive economic opportunities.