By Abbas Nazil
Six graduates of the University of Ilorin have emerged winners of the prestigious 2025 Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP) Awards, an initiative by BATN Foundation aimed at driving agricultural innovation among Nigerian youths.
Each awardee received ₦1,500,000 in funding to bring their pioneering agribusiness ideas to life, totaling ₦9 million in grants.
The winners—Abdulahi Ayomide, Aliu Abdulbasit Olamilekan, Uthman Oladipo, Olorunmaiye Cynthia, Iliyas Elijah Danladi, and John Olumide Adeyemi—stood out from a highly competitive pool of applicants, showcasing groundbreaking proposals with the potential to reshape agribusiness in Nigeria.
The pitch and grant award ceremony took place at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, and drew notable attendance from the institution’s top leadership.
Present were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN; Registrar, Mr. M.A. Alfanla; Bursar, Mr. Abiodun Lawal; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Professor A.A. Fawole; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Professor M.A.E. Etudaiye; and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Oluyemisi Fawole.
Professor Egbewole commended the BATN Foundation and celebrated the winners, emphasizing that the collaboration aligns with the university’s mission to produce graduates who are not just academically sound but are also capable of providing real-world solutions.
“This partnership with the BATN Foundation is a reflection of our shared commitment to innovation, youth empowerment, and national development,” he said. “We are proud of our students for distinguishing themselves, and we remain steadfast in our mission to produce solution-driven leaders.”
The BATN Foundation’s General Manager, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, highlighted the importance of empowering young agripreneurs to secure Nigeria’s agricultural future.
He praised the University of Ilorin as a center of excellence for innovation and pledged continued support for emerging talents.
In addition to the financial grants, each recipient is to receive mentorship and ongoing support from agricultural and business experts to ensure the success of their ventures.
For recipients like Olorunmaiye Cynthia, the grant marks a turning point.
“Being selected for the GAP grant is a life-changing opportunity. It’s the fuel for a bigger dream to transform agriculture in Nigeria,” she shared.
This successful edition of the GAP initiative signals a promising future where young innovators are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and food-secure Nigeria.