BATN Foundation Partners Odu’a SWAgCo To Strengthen Agriculture And Empower Smallholder Farmers In SouthWest

The BATN Foundation is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Odu’a Investment Company Limited’s agribusiness arm, SWAgCo, to strengthen agriculture in South-West Nigeria and empower smallholder farmers through scalable, sustainable, and inclusive initiatives.

Unveiled at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of Odu’a Investment Company Limited on May 15, this groundbreaking partnership is part of SWAgCo’s ₦10 billion agribusiness joint venture designed to industrialise agriculture and unlock the full economic potential of the South-West region.

A key initiative under this collaboration is the ₦65 million maize production project at the Oke-Ako agribusiness hub in Ekiti State.

This program, currently underway, includes a ₦32 million revolving grant aims to support 100 smallholder farmers with access to credit, quality inputs, training, and structured markets.

With support mechanisms designed to enhance productivity, promote farmer cooperation, and increase rural incomes.

“At the BATN Foundation, we believe that strategic partnerships are critical to achieving sustainable development goals and driving inclusive growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Our collaboration with Odu’a’s SWAgCo is a bold step toward industrialising agriculture and uplifting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of our food systems,” said Mr. Oludare Odusanya, General Manager, BATN Foundation.

“By combining resources, expertise, and shared vision, this partnership will scale up agricultural productivity, strengthen local value chains, and create long-term economic opportunities for rural communities. We are excited to be part of this transformative journey to build a resilient agricultural future for the region and beyond.”

In attendance at the MoU signing were Board members of the Odua Investment Company Limited including Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Group Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan; Group Independent Director, Odua Investment company Halimat Shuaibu; Executive Director, BATN Foundation, Mr. Oludare Odusanya; General Manager, BATN Foundation, Dr. Theo Adewale Onadeko; CEO SWAgCo, Representatives from State Governments across the SouthWest region and agricultural stakeholders.

This partnership aligns with the BATN Foundation’s mission to empower smallholder farmers, drive food security, and promote inclusive agricultural development.

As more collaborative investments take shape under the SWAgCo initiative, the Foundation remains committed in pursuing efforts and partnerships geared at strengthening the rural agricultural system and more importantly the smallholder farmers.