The Lagos State Government has awarded 33 young agripreneurs N150m for their “remarkable contributions” to the growth of the state’s agricultural and food systems sector.
The governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state remained Nigeria’s “intellectual and economic hub” and the nation’s “best chance to make a lasting difference.” Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, stressed that Lagos carried “a responsibility not only to its residents but also to the entire nation.”
In a statement, he maintained that food security sat at the heart of the state’s development priorities, adding that “a secure environment is the foundation upon which economic growth and social stability are built.”
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The governor stated that the state was investing heavily in partnerships with the private sector to strengthen systems, logistics, and value chains, thereby boosting productivity.
He said, “Lagos is the biggest market in sub-Saharan Africa; we must therefore pay particular attention to how we mobilise our people to produce for Nigeria.”
He added that agriculture went beyond planting and harvesting, noting that Lagos was “strategically positioned” to lead the movement of food “from the farms to the tables.”
Sanwo-Olu noted that limited landmass would not deter the state, pointing to the Netherlands as proof that innovation and technology could overcome natural constraints.
He told youths to take ownership of the future of agriculture, assuring them that the government would sustain funding and innovation-driven support under programs such as Produce-for-Lagos and the Guaranteed Uptake Fund.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, stated that the Agrinnovation Club was created as a bridge between young agripreneurs and the state’s agricultural transformation agenda. She noted that the club aligned with initiatives such as Eko Flavours, the Lagos Food Festival, the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme, and the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme.
Olusanya said these programs were central to delivering the state’s Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap, launched in 2021, which outlined Lagos’ long-term strategy for self-sufficiency in wholesome and safe food.
She noted that the Agrinnovation Club plays a key role in the Produce-for-Lagos initiative designed to strengthen production, link rural producers to urban markets, and promote local consumption.
The commissioner revealed that the ministry had recorded “inspiring innovations” from young agripreneurs, citing rooftop farming, waste-to-feed projects, and digital platforms that directly link farmers with buyers. She said these demonstrated that the transformation of agriculture in the state “will not come from grand gestures alone, but from consistent acts of creativity, courage, and collaboration.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Oluwarotimi Fashola, thanked Sanwo-Olu for supporting the sector. She said the creation of the Agrinnovation Club demonstrated the state’s commitment to establishing a sustainable ecosystem driven by technology, collaboration, and youth engagement.
Fashola urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity, remain consistent, and see themselves “not just as participants, but as partners in building a Lagos where agriculture is smart, inclusive, and sustainable.”
