MOUAU Announces ₦1.5 Million Agripreneur Grant for Agriculture Graduates

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in partnership with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), has officially announced the launch of the Graduate Agripreneur Project (Cohort 2).

The initiative is designed to empower young graduates with financial support and mentorship opportunities that will enable them to turn their passion for agriculture into sustainable agribusiness ventures. The programme is part of ongoing efforts to encourage youth participation in agriculture and promote entrepreneurship within the sector.

The Opportunity

The project aims to support four selected graduate agripreneurs with financial grants to help them establish and expand agricultural businesses.

Each successful applicant will receive a grant of ₦1.5 million, bringing the total funding for this cohort to ₦6 million.

The grant will be used to support specific agricultural projects proposed by the selected participants. Both male and female graduates are encouraged to apply, as the programme promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Through this initiative, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation aim to strengthen agricultural innovation, improve food production, and create employment opportunities through agribusiness development.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Academic Qualification: Applicants must be graduates of agriculture from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Eligible colleges include CCSS, CASAP, CNREM, and CAERSE.
• NYSC Completion: Candidates must have successfully completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
• Age Requirement: Applicants must be between 21 and 35 years old.
• Recent Graduates: Candidates must have graduated within the last five years.
• Business Commitment: Selected applicants must be willing to establish and operate their agribusiness within the university premises during the programme.
• Entrepreneurial Experience: Applicants must demonstrate prior involvement in agricultural enterprises or entrepreneurial activities and should have independent access to markets outside the university’s existing market channels.
• Business Registration: Applicants must already have a registered business or be willing to register their business before the grant funds are released.
• Mentorship Role: Participants must be willing to provide technical training and mentorship to students, particularly those undergoing the Farm Practical Year Training Programme (FPYTP) and other trainees.

Project Proposal Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a detailed project proposal, which will play a critical role in the selection process.

The proposal must include the following components:

• A project focused on Poultry, Livestock, or Aquaculture production
• An analysis explaining the relevance of the project to current socio-economic conditions
• Evidence of experience in production or value-addition activities
• A clear work plan and activity-based timeline
• A detailed budget broken down according to activities and operational needs
• Evidence of market experience and a strategy for ensuring long-term profitability and sustainability

Applicants are encouraged to ensure that their proposals are well structured, realistic, and capable of demonstrating the economic potential of their agribusiness ideas.

Submission Guidelines

Interested and eligible graduates must submit soft copies of their grant application and project proposal to the Project Management Committee.

• Submission Email: agwu.nnanna@mouau.edu.ng
• Deadline: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Applicants are advised to carefully review their submissions before sending them, as late submissions or proposals that fail to meet the eligibility criteria will be automatically rejected.

Programme Coordination

The announcement was made by N. M. Agwu on behalf of the MOUAU-BATNF Agripreneurship Programme.

The programme is expected to support young agricultural entrepreneurs by providing financial backing, practical training opportunities, and mentorship that will help them develop viable agribusiness enterprises.

Through initiatives like the Graduate Agripreneur Project, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike continues to promote agricultural innovation and empower graduates to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s agricultural and economic development.