By Esther Onyegbula

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and the BAT Nigeria Foundation, BATNF, have renewed their partnership on youth agribusiness development, with a fresh commitment of up to ₦10 million in grants to support outstanding corps members with viable agribusiness ideas.

The renewal followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, by both organisations in Abuja on January 22, 2026, extending the collaboration for another three-year cycle under BATNF’s flagship Farmers for the Future, F4F, project.

The partnership, first initiated in 2019, is aimed at equipping young Nigerian graduates with funding, skills and mentorship to establish sustainable agribusiness enterprises, while positioning agriculture as a viable pathway for employment, enterprise and national food security.

Under the renewed agreement, six NYSC corps members will benefit from a competitive grant scheme totalling ₦10 million. The prize structure includes ₦3 million for the first-place winner, ₦2 million each for two second-place winners, and ₦1 million each for three third-place winners. The grants will be provided through a combination of cash and non-cash support to enhance effective execution and sustainability of the projects.

Beyond funding, beneficiaries will undergo a structured development programme comprising intensive boot camps, mentorship by agribusiness experts and continuous project evaluation. Grant disbursement and monitoring will be handled by an independent implementing partner to ensure transparency and measurable impact.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, General Manager of BAT Nigeria Foundation, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, described the MoU as a reaffirmation of a partnership that has consistently delivered value since 2019.

According to him, the Farmers for the Future initiative goes beyond grant provision to building a robust support system that enables young graduates to view agribusiness as a scalable and profitable enterprise.

“This renewal reflects our belief in the power of continuity and collaboration. Through this programme, we are helping corps members move from ideas to sustainable businesses by providing mentorship, structure and long-term support,” Odusanya said.
He added that agriculture remains a critical sector for youth inclusion, economic resilience and food security, noting that the partnership with NYSC has helped expand the programme’s reach nationwide.

On its part, NYSC pledged to continue leveraging its national platforms, including orientation camps and digital communication channels, to promote awareness and participation among corps members. The Scheme will also formally endorse the F4F project, collaborate on monitoring and evaluation, and participate in key milestones such as programme launch and closing ceremonies.
The MoU was signed on behalf of BAT Nigeria Foundation by Mr. Odusanya and the Foundation’s Project Manager, Mr. Adetola Oniyelu. Representing NYSC were the Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, Mrs. Kehinde Aremu-Cole, and Barrister Christopher Ogar of the NYSC Legal Unit.

The renewed collaboration underscores both organisations’ commitment to deepening youth-focused agricultural entrepreneurship and expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians through structured, impact-driven interventions.