…As 6 young agripreneurs bag N9m grants
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole,SAN, has promised continued collaboration with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF).
Prof. Egbewole made this promise penultimate Monday (April 14, 2025) while declaring open the Final Pitching for Cohort 2 Graduate Agripreneur Programme organised by the BATNF in collaboration with the University of Ilorin.
At the end of the exercise, the General Manager of BATNF, Mr Oludare Odusanya, announced the award of a total grant of ₦9,000,000 to six young agricultural entrepreneurs,
The beneficiaries are: Iliyas Elijah, Uthman Oladipo, Cynthia Olorunmaiye, Abdullahi Hanif Ayomide, Aliu Abdulbaasit Olamilekan, and John Olumide Adeyemi.
The Vice Chancellor, who emphasised the significance of collaboration for mutual progress and development, said that this position aligns with BATNF’s vision for sustainable development as he explained that the partnership could yield significant benefits for Nigeria.
Prof. Egbewole congratulated the lucky students and charged them to utilise the funds judiciously.
While noting that only six of the ten finalists would receive grants, the Vice Chancellor urged the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture to explore ways to support those who wouldn’t secure funding.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Mr Oludare Odusanya, affirmed that the work of the Foundation centered around improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, through sustainable agriculture, youth empowerment, and community development initiatives.
He, therefore, advised the participants not to be nervous or pressured, noting that his team was there to support the selected individuals through every possible means.
Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Oluyemisi Bolajoko Fawole, commended the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation’s commitment to empowering young agripreneurs. She expressed honour in partnering with them to shape Nigeria’s agricultural future.
Prof. Fawole acknowledged the foundation laid by the University’s partnership with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) last year, noting that the University is thrilled to see this initiative scale up.
Prof. Fawole affirmed that the collaboration underscores the commitment of the two partners to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders and driving progress in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Dean pointed out that seeing her students and young agricultural entrepreneurs receive necessary support that would enable them to thrive, gives her so much joy. She said that the grant would undoubtedly boost their innovative ventures, driving growth and development in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Prof. Fawole expressed profound gratitude to the university management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for fostering a dynamic environment that catalyses diverse development initiatives.
This sentiment, according to her, underscores the University’s commitment to innovation and progress under Prof. Egbewole’s leadership.
The event that was coordinated by Prof. Foluke Sola-Ojo, was witnessed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mukthar Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; and the Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal.
