The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation has been honoured with the Longstanding Investment Recognition and Making a Positive Impact Award by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce.
In a statement on Tuesday, the BATN Foundation has invested more than N4bn in fostering inclusive growth through sustainable agriculture. Its efforts have notably empowered rural communities across Nigeria, focusing on youth empowerment, food security, and improving livelihoods, particularly among smallholder farmers, women, and young people.
One of the Foundation’s major achievements is the empowerment of over 300,000 smallholder farmers. This has been achieved through capacity-building programs, access to quality inputs, and training in modern agricultural practices.
As a result, many farmers have experienced increased yields, improved produce quality, and sustainable income growth, contributing to economic resilience in rural Nigeria.
The statement noted that the BATN Foundation’s efforts span all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, with over 300 community projects implemented in key sectors such as agriculture, enterprise development, and water sanitation. To date, these projects have positively impacted more than 1.7 million Nigerians.
According to the statement, a key focus of the Foundation’s initiatives is water, sanitation, and hygiene, with the deployment of 105 solar-powered borehole facilities, each with a 20,000-litre capacity. These facilities have provided thousands of rural households with access to clean water, helping to reduce waterborne diseases.
In response to receiving the award, the General Manager of the BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, expressed gratitude, stating, “We are deeply honoured by this recognition from the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce.
It reaffirms our belief that meaningful investments in rural communities not only uplift lives but also reflect our commitment to empowering rural communities and improving lives through sustainable development.”
The PUNCH reported that the BATN Foundation, in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government, has distributed 2,000 Noiler chickens to 100 smallholder farmers in the state as part of efforts to boost food security and empower rural communities.
