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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
To promote sustainable agriculture and secure food systems for the future, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has distributed N100 million in Agrinnovation funds to 26 successful agripreneurs in Lagos State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, presented the cheques to the winners during the recent Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 1.0, with the theme, “Shaping Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for the Next Generation”.
The governor stated that the gesture is a symbol of what the state can achieve when it trusts the youth to lead and supports them in doing so.
“The 26 finalists who were honoured made it through a rigorous selection process among 316 business case entries from dynamic startups, championed by young people driven by a vision to transform agriculture, from which the 26 finalists emerged. “This year’s Agrithon has also shown us that the future of food in Lagos is bright. This is a symbol of what we can achieve when we trust our youth to lead and support them in doing so. With access to mentorship, networks and a share of the fund, the entrepreneurs would have the resources to advance their enterprise solutions.
“This is not where our work ends. With the collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), and Eko Innovation Centre (EIC), we will monitor and evaluate the activities of the 26 entrepreneurs for the next nine months to see how these businesses are growing.”
The governor emphasised the need to embrace technology, foster collaboration and create sustainable practices that will endure to boost agriculture in the country, stressing that there is a need for the state to find innovative ways to reduce food waste, increase efficiency and ensure that food systems are resilient in the face of climate change and global challenges.
He noted that the efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the Agrinnovation Club, and all the policymakers, industry experts, and young innovators are vital, adding that they help the state build a Lagos that is not just self-sufficient but a global leader in sustainable agriculture. He explained that, “out of the Agrinnovation Club grew the Lagos Agrithon, a testament to the power of innovation and opportunity. This has created a platform where young entrepreneurs from across Nigeria pitched their groundbreaking ideas for the future of food.
He also spoke on ongoing commitment of his administration to build an agricultural sector that serves as the backbone of the nation’s economy, providing jobs, sustaining communities and meeting the nutritional needs of citizens.
Sanwo-Olu, who noted that the future of food in Lagos is bright, stressed that the initiative would also ensure that the state not only sustains itself but leads Nigeria and Africa toward food security and agricultural excellence. The event, which was well attended by dignitaries such as, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, former Commissioner of Agriculture in the state and father of the incumbent Commissioner of Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, members of the state executive council, Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Oluwarotimi Fashola, among others, was organised by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, in collaboration with Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and other partners.
According to him, “as a government, we understand that agriculture development depends on more than just traditional practices. It requires us to embrace technology, foster collaboration, and create sustainable practices that will endure.
“We need to find innovative ways to reduce food waste, increase efficiency and ensure that our food systems are resilient in the face of climate change and global challenges.
“In 2021, we unveiled the Lagos Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap (2021-2025), a bold and forward-thinking strategy aimed at revolutionising our food systems. This roadmap was designed to address the growing needs of our state by increasing productivity, boosting food security, creating jobs and fostering the kind of resilience that can only come from a strong, innovative agricultural sector.”
Sanwo-Olu noted that through the roadmap, numerous impactful initiatives have taken root, each contributing significantly to the transformation of food systems.
Commending the creation of the Lagos Agrinnovation Club, Sanwo-Olu said, “this club is not just an initiation, it has become a community of young Agripreneurs, a hub of creativity and a platform for those who dare to reimagine agriculture. In the hands of our young innovators, agriculture has become a space for technology adoption, sustainability and forward-thinking practices.
“As we continue this journey, together, we will build a food system that is sustainable, inclusive and capable of meeting the demands of tomorrow.”
The governor urged the beneficiaries to put the grants to excellent use, saying, “let this be just the beginning of your journey; keep your passion alive and maintain the dedication that brought you this far.”
Speaking with newsmen, Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Food System, Abisola Olusanya, said “the summit is essentially for young agripreneurs, those already in the business of food. We have those in e-commerce, logistics, cold chains, cold storage solutions; we have those in production of crops; we have those into livestock farming.
“It is just to show that agriculture is more than production alone, it is more than the farmers, it encapsulates a whole system of people, from market women, logistics providers, warehouse keepers, even those in the ICT space, among others.
“Some of the participants today are economists, accountants, engineers, lawyers. It is just to encourage other Nigerians that there are possibilities in the space. You can find your footing somewhere in agricultural value chain.”
Fashola, in his vote of thanks, said, “this summit is just the beginning of a continuous journey toward achieving a Lagos that not only feeds itself but also contributes to feeding the nation, creating jobs and empowering young people. Let us build on the momentum created here and work together to turn these innovative ideas into practical, sustainable solutions for our communities.
