BATN Foundation Celebrates 2025 Farmers for the Future Winners, Showcasing Youth-Led Agribusiness Innovation

The BATN Foundation has once again placed the spotlight on Nigeria’s next generation of agripreneurs with the announcement of the 2025 winners of its flagship Farmers for the Future (F4F) Program. The awards were presented during the biennial Agribusiness Dialogue Session held in Lagos, which explored the theme “Is the Smallholder Farmer Finance-able?”

To shift the perception of agriculture from a last resort to a viable and scalable business opportunity, the Farmers for the Future initiative was launched in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to inspire and empower young Nigerians. Open to serving NYSC members with innovative agribusiness ideas or existing enterprises, the programme provides equity-free grants, mentorship, technical assistance, and market linkages. Through this model, BATN Foundation actively addresses unemployment, builds youth capacity, and positions agriculture as a viable career path for young Nigerians.

The 2025 competition attracted some of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs. Following a transparent and rigorous selection process, six outstanding agripreneurs emerged as winners of the competition. Daniel Akogwu Jacob of Aretecom Limited emerged as the top winner, securing ₦3 million to scale his venture. Emmanuel Mary of Zibah Foods and Akinloye John of Geentead Farm NG were both named second-place winners, each receiving ₦2 million in funding support. Third place was shared by three innovative entrepreneurs: Ikhahon Robinson of Heabron Farm Ltd, Adetuberu Sikeade of Lycos Nutrients Enterprises, and Haruna Godwin of Yaroson Agro Business, who were each awarded ₦1 million. Beyond financial support, the winners will benefit from capacity building, business development guidance, and inclusion in the F4F alumni community, giving them continued exposure and access to partnerships long after the competition.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of the BATN Foundation, emphasised that the Farmers for the Future programme is about reimagining the role of young people in agriculture. “The vision of Farmers for the Future is to show young Nigerians that agriculture is not just survival; it is innovation, enterprise, and opportunity. By supporting youth with the right financing, mentorship, and networks, we are building a new generation of agripreneurs who will drive food security, create jobs, and power Nigeria’s economic diversification. These winners represent the resilience, creativity, and ambition that the programme was designed to nurture,” he said.

Since its launch, the F4F programme has demonstrated significant impact. Past winners, such as Pemnia Wellness, have leveraged their grants to move from prototype to market, secure regulatory approvals, expand product lines, and engage women farmers in their supply chains. These success stories reinforce BATNF’s belief that supporting youth is one of the surest ways to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Established in 2002, BATN Foundation has  delivered more than 300 community development projects across the country, with a sustained focus on agriculture, skills development, environmental stewardship, and rural livelihoods. By investing in initiatives like the Farmers for the Future (F4F) programme, the Foundation is aligning its work with Nigeria’s broader goals of food security, economic diversification, and job creation.

Through F4F, BATN Foundation is not only rewarding excellence but also creating the conditions for youth-led ventures to thrive, scale, and transform communities across Nigeria.