The Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, in
partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA),
Kaduna Business School, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development
Agency of Nigeria, has graduated the first cohort of 100 certified
Agric-Business Development Service Providers (Ag-BDSPs).
The graduation ceremony, held at the EDC building in Lagos, marked a
significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural
enterprise ecosystem. The inaugural cohort received certificates after
completing an intensive training programme designed to equip them with
specialised skills, tools, and practical approaches to support small and
medium-sized agribusinesses across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director at the Enterprise
Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, highlighted the importance
of developing specialised advisory capacity for the agricultural sector.
According to her, agribusinesses require tailored support because the
sector has unique characteristics and challenges that differ from those
of other industries.
“We have regular advisory services you can provide to any sector. But
in agriculture, the issues, nuances, and peculiarities are different. So
you need consultants who understand those peculiarities to advise and
help them grow,” she said.
Dr. Okekearu explained that the Ag-BDSP initiative represents a critical
step towards strengthening the ecosystem required for agribusiness
growth.
“This is our first cohort of 100 that EDC is graduating. AGRA is
powering the initiative. Beyond the programme, there are platforms to
deepen the agribusiness space, and these 100 consultants will be the
first to be considered for agribusiness consulting,” she added.
She noted that sustainable enterprise growth requires a strong support
system involving business advisors, consultants, and facilitators.
“No small business can do well on its own. For them to grow, they need
an ecosystem. Part of that ecosystem is consultants, business advisors,
and facilitators. These certified Ag-BDSPs will guide businesses to
survive and thrive. Once they grow, more jobs will be created, and there
is a ripple effect.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Olawale Anifowose, Director for
Programmes and Partnerships at EDC, described the graduation as a
significant milestone in efforts to strengthen business advisory support
for Nigeria’s agricultural enterprises.
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He explained that the programme was launched under AGRA’s
“Strengthening BDSP Ecosystem” project to develop a pool of
professionals equipped to provide specialised support to agribusinesses.
“Today is the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Agric
BDSP programme. We graduated 100. They have been prepared very
rigorously to support SMEs in Nigeria with tools, resources, and models
that will validate and help grow businesses in the Agric sector,” he
said.
Dr. Anifowose emphasised that many agribusinesses face growth challenges
due to limited access to specialised advisory services.
“What this will bring to the economy is immense. They are bringing new
models, experience, and expertise that will truly unleash the next wave
of Agric billionaires in Nigeria. With this first set of 100, we are
confident that many entrepreneurs in the Agric sector will enjoy quality
support from this cohort graduating from EDC.”
Representing SMEDAN, Olubunmi Kole-Dawodu, Deputy Director,
Strategic/Private Partnerships, who also served as the keynote speaker,
described the collaboration as a timely intervention in transforming
agriculture from subsistence activity into a commercially viable sector.
“If you Google Nigeria, the most common occupation is agriculture. It
is time to turn agriculture into a real business. To do that, we need
people who can handhold farmers and processors to see it as an
enterprise, not subsistence,” she said.
He added that SMEDAN would continue to support linkages between SMEs and
certified business development service providers.
“SMEDAN is like the mother in the space. We will look to support SMEs
and match them with these business development service providers. We
intend for this training to continue because more people in agriculture
are how our economy becomes sustainable.”
One of the BDSPs, Fayo Williams, Founder and Managing Consultant of
Exponential Consult Limited, described the training as practical,
impactful, and empowering.
“The classes were very well delivered with interactive methodologies.
Now that we have been equipped as agribusiness development consultants
who can diagnose issues, help rural farmers, and improve food security,
I feel empowered. I feel good about Nigeria. We can move forward and
make an impact,” he said.
She further highlighted the importance of innovation and enterprise
development in unlocking agriculture’s potential.
“Agribusiness is essential. It is about our survival. It is possible
if we have the mindset of innovation, enterprise development, and
bringing investment into the agricultural sector. Then we can reap the
fruits.”
The graduation of the first cohort of Ag-BDSPs represents a major step
towards building a professional network of agricultural business
advisors who will support enterprise growth, improve market access,
strengthen value chains, and contribute to job creation and economic
development across Nigeria.
