The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has emphasized the state’s commitment to ensuring food security, both locally and nationally.
He expressed a renewed determination to sustain and expand agricultural value chains for increased productivity.
These remarks were conveyed at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 1.0, themed “Shaping Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for the Next Generation,” held in Ikeja, GRA.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Sanwo-Olu described the summit as an initiative to encourage and prepare the next generation to engage in the agriculture sector, aiming to elevate it to new heights.
According to the governor, meeting the nutritional needs of Lagosians requires embracing innovation and technology to reduce food waste across the state.
He explained that the agriculture sector roadmap unveiled in 2021 was designed to revolutionize agriculture in Lagos, noting that several impactful initiatives have since been introduced to strengthen the sector.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also urged participants in the Agrithon competition, who collectively received 100 million naira in grants, to use the funds to boost food supply in the metropolis.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadiri Hamzat commended Nigerians who have transformed economic challenges into opportunities.
He encouraged Agrinnovation Club members to advocate for agriculture and inspire more young people to join the sector. Reflecting on previous reports of food scarcity and high prices, Dr. Hamzat expressed confidence that the current situation would soon improve, envisioning a future where billionaires in agriculture would emerge.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.
Using sugar production as an example, he noted that Nigeria currently produces only 3% of its sugar consumption, indicating a vast investment opportunity. He stressed that innovation is crucial for a prosperous future in agriculture.
Dr. Tijani praised Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership in inspiring innovation in the sector, emphasizing that technology and sustainability are vital for societal development.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, welcomed the attendees by celebrating young entrepreneurs who initiated their agricultural businesses with their own resources.
She acknowledged their passion, noting that it would inspire others to enter the sector, which she affirmed has ample space for growth.
Olusanya expressed her expectation that Agrinnovation Club membership would reach three thousand within three years, short of the demand for Lagos’s population of over twenty million.
Guest Speaker Prince S.J. Samuel, Chairman of Origin Tech Group, lauded the Lagos State Government for its progress in transforming the agriculture sector.
Discussing the high costs of logistics, he noted that farmers retain only 40% of revenue after expenses, often suffering from wastage.
Samuel called for an enabling environment for agriculture, believing that no Nigerian family should go hungry if priorities are set right.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of cheques totaling one hundred million naira to 26 participants in the Agrithon competition.
