33 Young Agripreneurs Honoured With ₦150m as Lagos Pushes Modern Agriculture Agenda

33 Young Agripreneurs Honoured With ₦150m as Lagos Pushes Modern Agriculture Agenda
Gov. Sanwo-Olu Says Lagos Must Lead Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation
Olusanya Noted That Lagos Youth Are the Drivers of Agricultural Transformation

The Lagos State Government has awarded ₦150 million to 33 outstanding young agripreneurs in recognition of their contributions to the growth and transformation of the State’s agricultural and food systems sector.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the beneficiaries received the awards during the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems.

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Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s intellectual and economic hub, stressing that the State “remains the nation’s best chance to make a lasting difference.”

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Sam Egube, the Governor said food security is central to both national and State development plans.

“Lagos is the biggest market in sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture is not just about planting and harvesting; it is about how food gets from the farms to the tables. Lagos is strategically positioned to lead that process,” he said.

He added that despite Lagos’ limited landmass, innovation and technology as seen in countries like the Netherlands can significantly boost agricultural productivity.

Sanwo-Olu encouraged young people to take ownership of the future of agriculture, assuring them of continued support through programmes such as the Produce-for-Lagos Initiative and the Guaranteed Uptake Fund.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the Agrinnovation Club was established as a bridge between young agripreneurs and the State’s broader agricultural transformation agenda.

She listed several youth-focused initiatives launched by the Ministry, including the Eko Flavours Culinary Initiative, the Lagos Food Festival, the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (L.A.P) and the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme.

33 Young Agripreneurs Honoured With ₦150m as Lagos Pushes Modern Agriculture Agenda

According to her, these programmes are key pillars of the Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap (2021–2031), which outlines Lagos’ goal of achieving self-sufficiency in wholesome and nutritious food.

Olusanya highlighted innovations already emerging from young agripreneurs such as rooftop farming, waste-to-feed solutions and digital platforms linking farmers to buyers describing them as “clear indicators that the transformation of Lagos agriculture will come from consistent acts of creativity and collaboration.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support for the agricultural sector, noting that youth empowerment and innovation remain central to all State-driven agricultural interventions.

Fashola described the Agrinnovation Club as a bold initiative aimed at building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem driven by technology, creativity and collaboration.

He urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the platform, stay consistent, and uphold integrity in their ventures.

“You are not just participants; you are partners in building a Lagos where agriculture is smart, inclusive and sustainable,” he said.