Kunle Adelabu
-Calls on more agric entrepreneurs to come on board
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday supported 26 agric – entrepreneurs with N100 million Agrinnovation fund aimed at boosting sustainable food security and encouraging the younger generation’s involvement in farming.
Sanwo-Olu, who noted that the future of food in Lagos is bright, emphasized that Lagos will continue to build a system that is innovative, resilient, and truly exceptional.
The highest grant provided was N7million. Other beneficiaries received sums in the range of N5milion, N2million , N1.5miilion and N1million.
The governor spoke at the presentation of grants to 26 beneficiaries that emerged from the agrithon contest at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 1.0, themed; “Shaping Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems For the next Generation” held at Marcelina’s Place, G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos.
The governor was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Ayinde.
He stressed that Agrinnovation is a deliberate attempt by Lagos State to sustain its food production and lead the country and Africa as a whole towards food security. Governor Sanwo-Olu added that as a government, the state understands the importance of innovation towards bringing efficiency in agriculture.
“It is a great pleasure and honour to be with you at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 1.0, an event that truly represents the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and transformation that defines our state.
“We gather here today with one purpose: to build sustainable agriculture and food systems for the next generation, and to ensure that Lagos not only sustains itself but leads Nigeria and Africa toward food security and agricultural excellence.
“This summit, with the theme “Shaping Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for the Next Generation,” represents our ongoing commitment to build an agricultural sector that serves as the backbone of our economy, providing jobs, sustaining communities, and meeting the nutritional needs of our people.
“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 doing this, we must place young people at the center of this effort because it is their energy, ideas, and ambition that will drive this transformation forward,” he stressed.
Sanwo – Olu noted that through his administration’s Lagos Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap (2021-2025), numerous impactful initiatives: The Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub, Lagos State Rice Company (LASRICO), iLagos Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin, and Ounje Eko Food Discount Market among many others, have taken root, each contributing significantly to the transformation of our Food Systems.
Commending the establishment of the initiative, Sanwo – Olu said that youths created a platform for innovative ideas that bring development into agriculture in the state, and are also providing opportunities for numerous others.
“The state government commended, in particular, the creation of the Lagos Agrinnovation Club. 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.
He further emphasized, “The club through its numerous engagements, hangout sessions and mentorship program has fostered an environment where ideas grow and are nurtured into real solutions. It is this Club that has brought us here today to witness the great strides made by our youth in the agricultural and food ecosystem.
“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.”
“This year’s Agrithon saw 316 business case entries from dynamic startups, championed by young people who are driven by their vision to transform agriculture, and build sustainable solutions”, Sanwo – Olu said.
While commending and congratulating the 26 beneficiaries, Sanwo – Olu charged that they should not relent but keep innovating and improving agricultural system in the state. He added that the state would monitor and evaluate their progress from time – to – time :
“The 26 finalists we honour today have not only made it through a rigorous selection process but have also shown us that the future of food in Lagos is bright. With access to mentorship, networks, and a share of the ₦100 Million Agrinnovation Fund, these entrepreneurs will have the resources to take their enterprises to greater heights.
“But let me be clear, 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), will monitor and evaluate the activity of the 26 entrepreneurs for the next nine months to see how these businesses are growing.
“The work being done here today by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the Agrinnovation Club, and all our policymakers, industry experts, and young innovators is vital. It is helping us build a Lagos that is not just self-sufficient, but a global leader in sustainable agriculture. You are setting the standard for a Nigeria that can feed itself, create jobs, and compete on the world stage”, he said.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food System, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, in her remarks thanked the assessors that oversaw the process that reduced over 300 entries to the 26 finalists.
She called on more young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities been provided by Agrinnovation.
Olusanya assured that the state government would continue to support and encourage them.
“These are a set of people that don’t come to the government begging for assistance or support, they go for it themselves. They have a business that is employing more young people and they pay their taxes and they dissipate energies together to provide food for us in their own little way and that is why the state is supporting them,” she said.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Olatunbosun Tijani, who joined the summit online said that youth are the engine room of any economy adding that they have the skills to make use of innovation and technology in bringing a sustainable food system for the good of the country and its people .
One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Arinola Okeowo, who has been running her agricultural outfit – Ultra Farm for four years, said that the grant would assist her business to expand.
“I have gained so much in just one year of being a founding member of the club and yesterday, I won a grant of 5,000,000 naira.
“It’s my 4th year in Agribusiness and my company has plans to expand and scale up in 2025 and the major question has been where to get the money from.
“This grant came in at the right time and it is definitely going to help us start our journey to scalability and growth,” she said.
Also at the summit were Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Mrs Saidat Oladunjoye, Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Commissioner for Housing, Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Tunbosun Alake, Commissioner for Innovation, Hon. Kayode Bolaji-Roberts, Commissioner, Local Government Affairs, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rice, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, former Commissioner of Agriculture in the state and father of the incumbent commissioner of Agriculture, HRH Chief (Mrs) Abiola Dosunmu, Erelu Kuti of Lagos.
