The Lagos State Government has announced that 26 agriculture-focused startups recently presented their business expansion plans, competing for a portion of a N100 million grant. This grant is intended to support the growth of small and medium-sized agribusinesses (MSMEs) across the state.
The funding initiative, known as the “Lagos Agrithon,” aims to drive innovation within the agriculture and food value chains. By empowering startups with grants and resources, the program hopes to significantly transform Nigeria’s food systems and enhance food security.
According to a statement by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, 20 of the 26 pitching startups will be selected to receive customized grants. In collaboration with the Lagos State Employment and Trust Fund and Eko Innovation Centre, the initiative is expected to become an annual event, fostering continuous support for agritech entrepreneurs.
Olurotimi Fashola, Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, shared that over 100 applications were received for this year’s program, from which 26 finalists were chosen. Their innovative concepts include coconut drying, honey production, fish farming, mechanized farming, and food packaging strategies aimed at reducing waste and improving food distribution.
Fashola emphasized the importance of tackling Nigeria’s food loss, which currently stands at about 40% of the country’s annual food production—nearly 100 million tonnes. This loss represents enough food to meet the needs of around 40 million people.
To address this, Lagos State is focused on promoting urban agriculture, encouraging residents to utilize available spaces for food production and to reduce dependency on imports. Fashola also commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to food security and urban agriculture initiatives.
Victor Afolabi, founder of Eko Innovation Centre, highlighted the program’s significance in developing the next generation of agripreneurs, particularly those integrating technology to enhance food security within Lagos. “I am highly optimistic about the potential of our youth in a field often seen as ‘unattractive,’” Afolabi said, noting the impressive talent and creativity of the emerging entrepreneurs.
