Lagos State is intensifying efforts to turn agriculture into a thriving space for innovation and youth employment by supporting technology-driven farming ideas.
Through a renewed investment in agri-tech talent, the government hopes to make agriculture more attractive to young Nigerians while improving farmers’ productivity and incomes statewide.
At the grand finale of the Lagos Agrithon, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, explained that the State is deliberately engaging young innovators to reshape food production and introduce smarter farming systems.
She noted that Lagos is committed to building an agricultural future powered by technology, creativity, and skilled youth talent.
According to her, the State’s programmes are structured to provide young people with training, mentorship, and access to essential tools that enable them to compete in a fast-evolving agricultural economy.
She pointed to the government’s holistic approach, which pairs capacity building with hands-on support to drive agricultural transformation across Lagos.
Speaking on youth empowerment, the Commissioner mentioned initiatives like the Lagos Agricultural Scholars’ Quiz, which encourages secondary school students to embrace agriculture early.
She also highlighted the Lagos Agrithon, a funding and incubation programme backing young entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to boost food production and efficiency.
Olusanya praised the growth of the Lagos Agri-Innovation Club, describing it as a powerful demonstration of teamwork among emerging agripreneurs.
She said the club offers a collaborative environment where members share knowledge, pool resources, and jointly explore market opportunities, allowing them to scale faster than they would alone.
This year’s Agrithon attracted over 1,000 applications nationwide, she revealed. Participants went through multiple assessment stages, including written tests, pitching sessions, interviews, business verification visits, and mentorship.
Olusanya commended the quality of this year’s finalists, noting that many showcased strong technical skills and practical solutions relevant to the food value chain.
She explained that the goal of the initiative is to give young entrepreneurs a launchpad to access government support, industry partnerships, and business opportunities.
Although only a limited number of finalists could be funded, she stressed that the selection process considered business knowledge, practical readiness, and the ability to manage finances.
“Entrepreneurs must understand basic business metrics, revenue, cost, and profit, to succeed,” she emphasised.
For 2025, the total support fund has increased to N150 million, in addition to contributions from private sponsors, a jump from last year’s N100 million package.
Participation extended beyond Lagos, with applicants from states such as Ogun and Anambra. Olusanya noted that Lagos remains a major market hub, making it relevant for agri-businesses across Nigeria even if they are not physically based in the state.
She added that through continuous mentorship and guidance, the government wants young innovators to refine their ideas into working agri-tech solutions, prototypes, and products that can uplift farmers, support food security, and push agriculture toward a more sustainable future.
She encouraged Nigerian youth to apply their digital skills to modern agriculture, predicting that technology and innovation will play a key role in attracting new generations to farming
