BATN Foundation Marks International Youth Day 2026, Calls for Sustained Investment in Young Nigerians
ONYINYECHI NWAIGBA 
As the world commemorates International Youth Day 2026 under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the BATN Foundation has called for increased investment in young Nigerians, emphasizing that empowering youth remains one of the most effective pathways to sustainable economic development, food security and national prosperity.
The Foundation noted that while young people across Nigeria face different social, economic and geographic realities, they share common aspirations for education, employment, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation in nation building.
Speaking on the significance of the day, General Manager of BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, said Nigeria’s youthful population represents a powerful force for innovation, enterprise and economic transformation if supported with the right opportunities and resources.
“International Youth Day reminds us that young people, regardless of their background or circumstances, share a common desire to build productive lives, create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society. The responsibility of governments, development institutions and the private sector is to create the enabling environment that allows these aspirations to flourish,” he said.
According to him, youth empowerment goes beyond access to education. It requires practical skills development, entrepreneurship support, mentorship, access to finance and opportunities that enable young people to translate ideas into sustainable enterprises.
For over two decades, the BATN Foundation has invested in programmes that promote economic inclusion, sustainable agriculture and youth entrepreneurship across Nigeria. Since inception, the Foundation has invested over ₦5 billion in development initiatives, reached more than 1.7 million Nigerians, and empowered over 300,000 smallholder farmers through various interventions.
A major focus of the Foundation’s work is developing the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs through flagship programmes such as the Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP) and Farmers for the Future (F4F), which provide young graduates with technical training, mentorship, enterprise development support and access to business opportunities.
In 2026 alone, the Foundation awarded ₦25.5 million in equity-free grants to 17 outstanding young agripreneurs from three Nigerian universities through the Graduate Agripreneur Programme, reinforcing its commitment to building a pipeline of innovative agribusiness leaders capable of driving food security, job creation and economic growth.
The Foundation is also currently implementing the seventh cohort of its Farmers for the Future (F4F) programme in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Designed to encourage greater youth participation in agribusiness, the programme provides training, mentorship and enterprise support to corps members with innovative agricultural business ideas. This year, six outstanding participants will receive a total of ₦10 million in equity-free grants to help establish and scale their agribusiness ventures, further demonstrating the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.
Odusanya stressed that empowering young people is not only a social responsibility but also an economic imperative.
“Young people are not simply beneficiaries of development. They are innovators, problem-solvers, entrepreneurs and job creators. Every investment made in youth today strengthens communities, stimulates economic activity and secures the future of our nation.”
The Foundation further called on governments, development agencies, educational institutions and private sector organisations to strengthen investments in youth-focused programmes that build skills, expand access to finance, encourage innovation and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
As Nigeria continues to harness its demographic advantage, BATN Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to equip young people with the tools, knowledge and support required to thrive in an evolving economy.
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