UNILORIN Collaborates with BATN Foundation to Promote Youth Involvement in Agriculture
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has partnered with the British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation (BATNF) to launch the Graduate Agripreneur Project (GAP), aimed at promoting agribusiness ventures among young graduates.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In alignment with the federal government's initiative to engage youths in agriculture, the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has entered into a partnership with the British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation (BATNF) to cultivate young graduates into successful agripreneurs through the Graduate Agripreneur Project (GAP).
The GAP initiative aims to stimulate the growth of agribusiness ventures among postgraduates and undergraduates in agricultural faculties across tertiary institutions.
Oludare Odusanya, the General Manager of BATNF, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "We are delighted to welcome the University of Ilorin into our ecosystem of youth empowerment. Empowering the youth to thrive as agripreneurs is not just an investment in their future; it is an investment in the future of our nation. By nurturing young talent, we contribute to the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector and, consequently, the economy as a whole."
Under the GAP program, grants are awarded to a minimum of four graduates annually. This initiative aims to equip future generations with the skills needed to address the challenges of feeding a growing population, cultivate unique talents, promote interest in sustainable agriculture, and encourage the establishment of agricultural enterprises among young graduates.
BATNF has previously collaborated with other Nigerian higher institutions, such as the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and the University of Ibadan (UI), where the Graduate Agripreneur Program has demonstrated significant impact.
The partnership with UNILORIN marks a milestone in extending the reach of the program and fostering agricultural entrepreneurship across Nigeria.
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This collaboration signifies a concerted effort to engage young minds in the agricultural sector, paving the way for sustainable development and economic growth in the country.
