The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University has partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and Kaduna Business School (KBS) to strengthen the capacity of agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria.

The collaboration was highlighted during the AG-SME Bootcamp and Pitch Competition, a three-day intensive and fully sponsored programme designed to equip agric entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to scale their businesses.

Speaking at the event, Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services at EDC, Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, said the initiative aims to nurture high-potential entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. She noted that participants had undergone rigorous training and demonstrated innovative business ideas, with top performers set to receive grants of ₦1 million each to support their ventures.

“We have seen incredible entrepreneurs with innovative approaches to agribusiness. This programme is about identifying and supporting the best among them so they can grow and make meaningful impact,” Ugwu said.

Also speaking, Dr. Stanley Ibeku, Lead for Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at EDC, explained that the partnership is focused on building the technical and managerial capacity of agric SMEs. According to him, the programme equips participants with competencies in areas such as investment readiness, operations, financial management, and business strategy, positioning them to access funding and scale sustainably.

He emphasized that the collaboration among EDC, AGRA, SMEDAN, and KBS reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem and empowering entrepreneurs with the tools needed for long-term growth.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Damilola Awojobi, described the programme as transformative and eye-opening. She said it helped her rediscover critical aspects of running a business, particularly in record-keeping and operational discipline, which she had previously overlooked.

The initiative underscores ongoing efforts by key institutions to drive innovation, productivity, and sustainability within Nigeria’s agricultural SME sector through targeted training and financial support.