Olam Agri in Nigeria, an agribusiness transforming food, feed, and fiber, has further solidified its reputation as a leading investor in human capital development. On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the business which operates 4,451 hectares of rice farm and 215K MT of rice milling facility in Rukubi awarded scholarships to 87 indigent students during an event at its rice farm in Rukubi, Nasarawa State.
This scholarship program is part of the Seed for the Future (SFTF) initiative, a Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (CSR) project of the agribusiness. The initiative supports farmers and farming communities by promoting education and skill development for young people, empowering women, enhancing health and nutrition, and reducing carbon emissions in business operations.
To promote broader education and skill development among young people in the host community, the business annually awards scholarships to tertiary students from Nasarawa State who meet specific academic criteria. Since the program’s inception in 2014, over 700 students have received financial support to pursue their academic goals.
During the scholarship presentation, Brijesh Nandal, Head of Operations at Olam Agri in Nigeria, stated, “We are delighted at the growing participation in our annual scholarship program. This reflects our deep commitment to empowering Nigerian youths through education. By supporting these students, we are investing in their future and the future of Nigeria.”
Similarly, Anil Nair, Country Head of Olam Agri in Nigeria, added, “We remain dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders and professionals who will contribute to the growth of our communities and the country. Our scholarship program aims to inspire students in our host communities and help them achieve their dreams and aspirations.”
Nair congratulated the recipients of this year’s scholarships and expressed confidence in their abilities. He encouraged them to work hard to make their communities proud.
One of the scholarship recipients, Veronica Elagbaye, praised Olam Agri for its sensitivity to the needs of students in its host community. She said the financial assistance would significantly help her meet her academic needs.
In 2023, Olam Agri also awarded scholarships to 15 students from the University of Lagos as part of its academic and economic development initiatives in Nigeria.
Brijesh Nandal (left), Head of Operations, Olam Agri in Nigeria, presenting a scholarship cheque to Veronica Elagbaye, a beneficiary and indigene of Nasarawa State, at the Olam Agri Rice Farm in Rukubi, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
