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.
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.