Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has presented N100 million Agrinnovation fund to 26 finalist entrepreneurs aimed at boosting sustainable agriculture and food security systems for the next generation in the state.
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 governor made the remarks on Thursday, at the presentation of grants to 26 beneficiaries in agri value chain at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 1.0, themed; “Shaping Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems For the next Generation,” held at Ikeja, G.R.A, Lagos.
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, Kaoli 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.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, stressed that the summit, with the theme, represents 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.
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 revolutionizing 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. Initiatives like; The Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub which is a designated central facility where all products coming into the State is first aggregated for proper inspection, grading, storage, packaging, certification, and redistribution to reduce post-harvest losses.
“These initiatives have all provided avenues to empower Lagosians and uplift our communities which demonstrates our commitment to developing infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and connecting Lagosians to vital resources,” he said.
Commending the creation of the Lagos Agrinnovation Club, Sanwo-Olu added, “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.
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Sanwo-Olu continued: “The 26 finalists we honor 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 enterprise solutions further. This is a symbol of what we can achieve when we trust our youth to lead and support them in doing so.
“This is not where our work ends, with the collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, 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 ministry, the Agrinnovation Club, and all our policymakers, industry experts, and young innovators is vital. 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.
“As we continue this journey, together, we will build a food system that is sustainable, inclusive, and capable of meeting the demands of tomorrow.”