The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has opened applications for Phase V of its Graduate Agripreneurship Programme, inviting qualified alumni to apply for the initiative funded by the British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation (BATNF). The programme is designed to support young FUNAAB graduates with N1.5 million each to start or expand agribusiness ventures while building practical agricultural entrepreneurship skills.
According to the university, the programme was created to encourage graduates to see agriculture as a viable business opportunity while also contributing to food production and job creation in Nigeria.
FUNAAB explained that the partnership with BATNF began in 2022 through a service agreement aimed at empowering young agripreneurs. “The programme seeks to nurture young graduates who are passionate about agriculture and willing to develop sustainable agribusiness enterprises,” the institution stated.
So far, 16 agripreneurs have been selected across Phases I, II, III and IV of the initiative. Each beneficiary received N1.5 million to implement their agricultural business ideas.
To qualify for Phase V, applicants must be graduates of FUNAAB from the Colleges of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), or Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT). Applicants must also have completed the National Youth Service Corps and be between the ages of 21 and 35.
The university noted that candidates must demonstrate entrepreneurial experience in agriculture and be willing to establish their agribusiness within the university environment for the duration of the programme.
Interested applicants are required to submit an expression of interest that includes a business plan detailing how the N1.5 million grant will be utilised, as well as a brief essay explaining why they should be selected.
Completed applications should be addressed to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and submitted electronically via email to dvcd@funaab.edu.ng.
