The Lagos State government has pledge to stimulate digital Innovation to further develop, transform and sustain its food systems.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this remark at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0 held at Victoria Island, Lagos.
Agrinnovation Club was created by the State government through the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems to serve as a bridge between the young agripreneurs and broader agricultural transformation agenda of the State.
Speaking at the event with the theme, ‘Thriving Systems for a Smarter Future,’ the Governor Sanwo-Olu said that Agriculture value chain goes beyond planting and harvesting.
He stated that “the State government, in partnership with the private sector and young innovators has what it takes to sustain the chains from farm to market and to the table.”
“Innovation is at the heart of President Tinubu’s strategy, and same at the state level and we are here to execute and make them to focus on this great dream to leap Nigeria forward.
“We believe in investing and partnering with the private sector in food systems and logistics and we are going to stimulate production.
Value is always going to be driven by the market and Lagos is the biggest market in West Africa.
So, we must pay particular attention to what Lagos does and how we mobilise the people of Lagos to produce for Nigeria.” he said
Agric roadmap
Governor Sanwo-Olu maintained that the launch of the state Agricultural food systems roadmap in 2021 was to form a path towards transforming and sustaining the agriculture ecosystem, stressing that “the state is working to ensure Lagos is self sufficient in wholesome nutritious and safe food.”
He commended the trajectory of the Agrinnovation Club which he described as “proudest of achievements under the state Agriculture roadmap.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said; “The Agri-Innovation Club is not merely a gathering of young agripreneurs; it is a movement of innovators, a community of thinkers and doers who are reimagining agriculture through technology, creativity, and enterprise.
Through these quarterly hangout sessions, the club has successfully connected our youth to local and international partners, creating pathways for mentorship, funding, and collaboration.”
“We also discussed the funding many have received through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and participating banks. Last year, 26 finalists emerged, collectively receiving ₦100 million in grant funding—a testimony to their hard work, which we are very proud of.
“This year, we are not stopping at ₦100 million. We are raising the bar to ₦150 million as part of our continuous investment in youth-driven agriculture, because the future belongs to you, our young people.”
The Governor however challenged the beneficiaries of the initiative to be firmed and reformed in changing the narrative of agriculture in Nigeria.
He was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Sam Egube.
Youth ingenuity
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said that “the energy and ingenuity of the youth are central to realised the dream of strengthening the state production base, connecting rural producers to urban markets, and ensuring that Lagos consumes what Lagos produces.”
Olusanya stressed that “the idea of Agrinnovation Club aligns with the state’s broader vision under the Produce for Lagos Program and the 500 billion off-take guarantee fund, which was recently launched.’
Olusanya shared her vision which is “to lead a youth-led, resilient and efficient machinery — where young agri-business owners, creators, and thinkers come together to form an ecosystem of innovation and enterprise that transforms how Lagos grows, processes, distributes, and consumes food.”
She said; “I also envisaged, a Lagos where no child goes to bed hungry, where food is fresh, affordable, grown close to home and where the energy that fills the markets is matched by the creativity of young people who see agriculture not as old-fashioned, but as the next great frontier.”
She added that feeding a city of over 24 million people is a collaborative effort which must be genuine and sustainable.
Tackling inflation
In his keynote address, MD Sterling Bank, Mr Abubakar Sulaimon noted that despite the small landmass of Lagos, it has the greatest value chain for agriculture sustainably.
Sulaimon maintained that emphasis should be placed on addressing food inflation, saying that if food inflation is tackled, it brings down the interest rate.
Victoria Ibanga