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By Lukman Olabiyi
When the conversation turns to job creation in Lagos, agriculture is not always the first sector that comes to mind.
Yet, quietly and steadily, the Lagos State Government is cultivating thousands of livelihoods from the soil through the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), an initiative that has now created over 15,000 jobs across the state.
Designed to transform agriculture into a viable, modern and profitable venture for young people, LAP targets residents between the ages of 18 and 30, equipping them with practical skills, mentorship and business acumen to thrive across the food value chain.
From crop production and aquaculture to livestock management and agribusiness development, the programme is redefining what it means to be a farmer in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The intervention aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems’ mandate under the THEMES+ Development Agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, which prioritises employment generation, capacity building, food security and sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the four-week intensive training for the 26th cohort of LAP at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Araga, Epe, the Director of the Institute, Ms. Folake Ogunlana-Lawal, described the programme as a cornerstone of Lagos’ youth empowerment strategy.
According to her, over 5,000 youths have been directly trained through LAP, with each graduate going on to create jobs for an average of two to three additional people.
This ripple effect, she explained, is what has pushed the programme’s overall job impact beyond 15,000.
“LAP is not just about training young people; it is about building a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in Lagos State. Our goal is to equip youths with modern agripreneurial skills, reduce unemployment, promote climate-smart agriculture, strengthen food security and position Lagos as a proactive leader in addressing global food system challenges,”Ogunlana-Lawal said.
She disclosed that the next batch of trainees is scheduled to resume on February 22, as the state continues to expand the programme’s reach.
Conceptualised in 2020, the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme is modelled after Israel’s Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT), with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning.
The programme runs for four months, beginning with one month of intensive on-site demonstration training at the Lagos State Agricultural Training and Entrepreneurial Centre in Araga-Epe.
This is followed by a three-month internship and mentorship phase with reputable agro-allied companies and farms across the state.
During the training period, participants are fully supported by the Lagos State Government, which provides accommodation, feeding, training materials and safety kits at no cost.
The final stage of the programme focuses on enterprise activation, where successful participants undergo an incubation period at the Lagos Food Production and Entrepreneurial Centre, Songhai, Badagry, to prepare them for independent agribusiness ventures.
Reflecting on the programme’s achievements, Ogunlana-Lawal expressed deep appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his consistent support of LAP and other development-driven initiatives.
She also acknowledged the critical role played by stakeholders and partners, noting that their collaboration has been instrumental to the programme’s success.
“I want to specially thank the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, particularly the Honourable Commissioner, Ms. Abisola Olusanya; the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Audu; and the Directors of the Ministry for their unwavering support. Their commitment to transforming agriculture in Lagos State is truly inspiring,” she said.
Beyond statistics and policy frameworks, the true impact of LAP is best told through the stories of its beneficiaries.
One of them, Ayodeji Oyindamola John, a graduate of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from the University of Ilorin, said the programme bridged the long-standing gap between theory and practice in agriculture.
“This training exposed me to the real, practical side of agriculture. I am grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for investing in youths and prioritising food security through programmes like this,”he said.
Another beneficiary, Balogun Saheed Ololade, said his experience in aquaculture and pig production during the programme has positioned him as a professional agripreneur.
“I have gained practical knowledge that has changed my perspective completely. I am committed to setting up my own agribusiness, not just to empower myself but also to contribute to meat production and food availability in Nigeria,” Balogun said.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Ogunlana-Lawal charged the trainees to remain committed to innovation and excellence, urging them to push boundaries as they transition into the agribusiness ecosystem.
“Over the past month, you have learnt the fundamentals of agripreneurship, innovative farming practices and the importance of market linkages. Now it is time to put theory into practice,”she told them.
She also encouraged them to join the Lagos Agrinnovation Club, a platform designed to foster collaboration, idea-sharing and innovation among agripreneurs.
With thousands of youths empowered, jobs created and food systems strengthened, the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme is steadily proving that agriculture when done right can be a powerful engine for economic inclusion, youth empowerment and sustainable development in Africa’s largest city.
