By Abdullahi Lukman
The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has struck a partnership with Southwest Agribusiness Company Limited (SWAgCo), the agribusiness investment arm of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, to transform agriculture in Southwest Nigeria.
The partnership is aimed at empowering smallholder farmers by providing quality agricultural inputs, training, and access to markets.
A key component is the launch of a ₦65 million Smallholder Maize Scheme in Ekiti State, targeting 100 farmers with seeds, fertilisers, capacity-building, and guaranteed market access.
Related Posts
Speaking on the collaboration, BATNF General Manager, Oludare Odusanya, described the initiative as a step toward improving rural livelihoods and driving food security.
“We are not just investing in crops, but in people — the backbone of Nigeria’s food system,” he said.
Dr. Theo Adewale Onadeko, CEO of SWAgCo, highlighted the initiative as part of a broader ₦10 billion agribusiness investment drive to industrialise agriculture in the region.
He noted that the partnership with BATNF will help convert smallholder farming into a profitable, sustainable venture.
The collaboration aligns Odu’a Investment’s regional presence, SWAgCo’s financial expertise, and BATNF’s community support experience to build a resilient and modern agricultural ecosystem in Southwest Nigeria.
