The Lagos State Government has expressed delight over the growing number of residents, especially youths, embracing agriculture as a collective solution to the country’s food insecurity challenges.
The government emphasised that the same priority attention given to the security of lives and property is also accorded to the agricultural sector for the overall benefit of residents.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu conveyed these views in a message at the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0, held at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. Represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, the Governor reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing quality and affordable food for over 20 million residents at all times.
He stressed that Lagos remains the biggest food market in West Africa, describing it as an environment where dreams come true. He noted that banks are driven by values before granting financial support to businesses.
Speaking at the summit, the Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, announced the bank’s decision to set aside funding to spur genuine innovations across agricultural value chains. He also urged the government to proactively monitor sudden price hikes in food items, cautioning against selfish profiteering.
Mr. Suleiman highlighted the challenge of post-harvest losses, which range between 20-40%, and assured that the bank stands firmly with farmers in providing solutions.
State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, explained that the initiative is designed to uncover hidden talents among young Nigerians and tap into the sector’s economic potential. She described the event as a phenomenon, noting the Governor’s belief in youth capacity to drive an agricultural revolution in the state and beyond.
Ms. Olusanya emphasised that a Lagos where no one goes to bed hungry is achievable through the enthusiasm and passion of young agri-preneurs implementing government policies. She added that this ecosystem has significantly impacted the cultivation, processing, distribution, and consumption of food items.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, thanked participants and assured that the government will continue improving citizens’ wellbeing through quality and affordable food.
A total of ₦150 million was distributed to 33 beneficiaries of the summit, supporting their businesses and innovations across agricultural value chains.
The summit, themed “Thriving Food Systems: Smart Future,” underscored the pivotal role of youth-driven innovation in shaping the future of Lagos agriculture.
