If you ever passed through a Leventis Foundation Nigeria agricultural school, this one is for you. The foundation has opened its 2026 Agribusiness Funding Programme, and it is putting up to ₦5 million on the table for trainees who want to start or grow a farm business.
Most grant calls in Nigeria are open to everybody, which means thousands of applicants fighting for a handful of slots. This one is different. Only people who have trained with the foundation can apply, so the pool is much smaller and your odds are far better than usual.
The window is short, though. Applications close on October 21, 2026.
About the Programme
The Leventis Foundation Nigeria has spent decades training young Nigerians in practical farming through its agricultural schools. A recurring problem for graduates is simple: they leave with the skills, but not the capital to put those skills to work.
The Agribusiness Funding Programme exists to close that gap. It gives concessionary start-up and expansion capital to current and former trainees, either as a grant or as a loan, so they can set up or scale real agribusinesses.
Benefits
Money is the headline, but the foundation is clearly trying to make sure that money survives its first year. Here is what selected applicants get:
- Up to ₦5 million in capital to start a new agribusiness or expand an existing one
- Funding through either a grant award or a concessionary loan, depending on the applicant
- Business management training to sharpen record keeping, pricing and operations
- Mentorship from people who understand the realities of farming in Nigeria
- Ongoing business support as the venture is set up and grows
For a poultry, fish or crop farmer, ₦5 million can cover inputs, a small processing setup, or the irrigation that turns one season into two.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a current trainee of a Leventis Foundation Nigeria training programme, or
- A former trainee (ex-trainee) of the foundation
- You must be seeking capital to start or expand an agribusiness
- Your business should be based in Nigeria
If you never trained with the foundation, this round is not open to you. Keep an eye on their next training intake instead, because that is the doorway to future funding rounds.
Documents Needed to Apply
The foundation has not published a full document checklist, so confirm on the portal before you start. Have these ready anyway, because funders of this kind almost always ask for them:
- Proof of training with Leventis Foundation Nigeria (certificate or trainee ID)
- A valid means of identification (NIN slip, voter’s card, driver’s licence or international passport)
- A clear description of the agribusiness you want to start or grow
- A budget showing exactly how you will use the funds
- Recent passport photograph and contact details
The budget is where most farm applications fall apart. If you need help turning your plan into proper numbers, our ready-made agribusiness business plans already cover costs, projections and market analysis for poultry, fish farming, crop production and more.
Key Details at a Glance
Programme: Leventis Foundation Nigeria Agribusiness Funding Programme 2026
Organizer: Leventis Foundation Nigeria
Eligible location: Current and former Leventis Foundation Nigeria trainees in Nigeria
Funding available: Up to ₦5 million per beneficiary, as a grant or concessionary loan
Application deadline: October 21, 2026
How to Apply
- Confirm you are a current or former trainee and dig out your training certificate.
- Prepare your business description and a realistic budget before opening the form.
- Go to the official Leventis Foundation Nigeria Agribusiness Funding application portal.
- Fill in every field carefully and upload any requested documents.
- Submit and keep a screenshot or copy of your submission confirmation.
Three weeks goes quickly. Aim to submit by mid-October so a network failure on the last day does not cost you ₦5 million.
Final Thoughts
Closed-pool funding like this is rare, and it rewards people who actually show up with a plan. If you have a Leventis certificate sitting in a drawer, now is the time to use it.
Not a trainee? There are other grants open right now. See our list of the latest opportunities for the month and find one that fits your business.