The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN Foundation) has officially announced the launch of the 2026 edition of the Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP), a flagship youth empowerment initiative designed to equip young Nigerian graduates with the funding, training and mentorship needed to establish sustainable agribusinesses.
Since inception, GAP has supported over 60 graduate agripreneurs and disbursed over ₦90 million in equity-free grants to seed budding agricultural ventures across the country. For the 2026 cohort, 17 excellent agripreneurs have won ₦1.5 million apiece after competitive pitch events at partner universities.
This is your chance to access finance, land, training and mentorship to convert your concept into a profitable enterprise if you are a graduate of agriculture or a related subject from a partner university with a viable agribusiness plan.
Also see: BATN Foundation F4F Grant 2026 (Up to ₦10M for NYSC Agripreneurs)
Quick Summary of BATN Foundation GAP 2026 (₦1.5m Grant for Graduate Agripreneurs) | How to Apply
| Sponsor | BATN Foundation (British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation) |
| Category | Grants |
| Type | Grants |
| Programme Name | Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP) 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online (detailed agribusiness proposal required) |
| Partners | FUNAAB, University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan, Michael Okpara University |
| Benefits | ₦1,500,000 per winner (equity-free) |
| Target Audience | Nigerian graduates from partner universities |
| Application Deadline | Ongoing / Rolling basis |
About the Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP)
The Graduate Agripreneur Programme (GAP) is a transformational programme designed by the BATN Foundation to enable young Nigerian graduates to create and sustain profitable agricultural businesses.
It is meant to stimulate and foster the growth of agribusiness enterprise by postgraduates and undergraduates in the faculties of agriculture in tertiary institutions. The aim is to change mindset and show that agriculture is profitable.
The programme is anchored on the Foundation’s Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship pillars that seek to solve unemployment while promoting agriculture as a lucrative career option. It seeks to make the graduates job creators by harnessing the potential of agriculture as a viable career alternative
Current Partner Institutions
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- University of Ilorin
- University of Ibadan
- Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
Objectives
- Make a career in Agri-business attractive
- Reduce unemployment and youth restiveness
- Prepare future generations for challenges of feeding growing population
- Help develop unique talents and broaden interest in sustainable Agriculture
- Demonstrate and promote commercialization of Agripreneurial ideas
- Encourage establishment of sustainable agricultural enterprises
What the GAP Programme Offers
Selected participants receive a comprehensive support package beyond just financial assistance :
Financial Support
| Benefit | Details |
| 💰 Seed Funding | ₦1.5 million equity-free grant per winner |
| 🏦 Investor Linkages | Connection to financial institutions and investors for follow-on financing |
Capital-Free Resources
| Benefit | Details |
| 🌾 Land Access | Access to farmland within the university environment at no cost |
| 🔧 Infrastructure | Basic farming tools and facilities provided free of charge |
Training & Capacity Building
| Benefit | Details |
| 📚 Practical Training | Modern farming techniques, agribusiness management, and innovative farming methods |
| 🏢 Enterprise Development | Training on business sustainability and enterprise growth |
Mentorship & Support
| Benefit | Details |
| 🤝 Expert Mentorship | Access to experienced agribusiness professionals |
| 🌐 Market Linkages | Connections to markets and industry networks |
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the BATN Foundation Graduate Agripreneur Programme 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria :
| Requirement | Details |
| Institution | Must be a graduate from a partner university |
| Field of Study | Agriculture or related faculties (preferred) |
| Business Idea | Must have a viable agribusiness idea or existing venture |
| Proposal | Required to submit a detailed agribusiness proposal |
| Participation | Willingness to participate in training and pitch sessions |
Partner Universities for GAP 2026
The programme is currently open to graduates of the following partner universities :
| Partner University | Location |
| Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) | Ogun State |
| University of Ilorin | Kwara State |
| University of Ibadan | Oyo State |
| Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike | Abia State |
Note: Businesses can be at the idea stage, prototype stage, or already operating .
Eligible Agribusiness Sectors
Applications are welcomed across diverse agricultural value chains, including :
| Sector | Examples |
| 🌾 Precision Crop Cultivation | Smart farming, high-yield crop production |
| 🐔 Poultry & Livestock Production | Broiler/layer farming, goat/sheep rearing |
| 🔄 Agro-Processing | Value addition, food processing and packaging |
| 📱 Agritech | Technology solutions for agriculture |
| 🍯 Commercial Beekeeping | Honey production and by-products |
| 🌿 Cassava & Sorghum Cultivation | Commercial crop farming |
| 🍅 Tomato & Vegetable Farming | Fresh produce cultivation |
| 🌱 Sustainable Agriculture | Environmentally friendly farming practices |
Application & Selection Process
The selection process follows a rigorous, transparent, multi-stage approach to identify the most promising agripreneurs :
| Stage | Description |
| Step 1: Submit Detailed Proposal | Applicants submit detailed agribusiness proposals online during the application phase |
| Step 2: Technical Committee Review | Proposals are reviewed and screened by a Technical Committee within the partner universities, using predefined criteria |
| Step 3: Live Pitch Session | Top-performing applicants are shortlisted to proceed to the final stage, which includes a live pitch session before a panel of senior representatives from BATN Foundation and the host university |
| Step 4: Winner Selection | Winners are selected based on proposal strength, business model viability, and pitch performance |
Assessment Criteria
Entries are assessed based on :
| Criteria | Description |
| Originality | Innovativeness and uniqueness of the business idea |
| Financial Viability | Feasibility and profitability potential |
| Scalability | Ability to grow and expand |
| Sustainability | Long-term business and environmental sustainability |
| Market Potential | Demand and market opportunity |
How to Apply for BATN Foundation GAP 2026
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official BATN Foundation application portal.
➡️ Apply Here: BATN Foundation GAP Application Portal
Application Instructions
- Visit the official BATN Foundation GAP webpage: batnf.net/wealthishere/gap
- Review the programme details and eligibility criteria
- Prepare a detailed agribusiness proposal outlining your business idea
- Complete the online application form with accurate personal and business information
- Upload your proposal and any supporting documents
- Submit your application
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