Lagos State Unveils N200m Grant for Young Agripreneurs in Agrithon 3.0 Programme
The Lagos State Government has launched the third edition of its Agrithon programme, unveiling a substantial N200 million funding package to support youth-led innovations and agribusinesses across the food systems value chain.
The Lagos State Government (LASG) has officially launched the third edition of its groundbreaking Agrithon programme, Lagos Agrithon 3.0, introducing a substantial N200 million funding package. This significant initiative is specifically tailored to bolster youth-led innovations and agribusinesses operating across the entire food systems value chain. Designed to empower young agripreneurs, the programme aims to provide crucial financial backing, alongside invaluable mentorship, comprehensive technical support, diverse networking opportunities, and essential market access, thereby transforming nascent ideas into thriving, sustainable businesses. The launch, held on June 24, 2026, marks a pivotal moment for agricultural development in the state.
Abisola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, articulated the core vision behind the Agrithon programme during the launch event. She emphasized that the initiative was conceived to directly confront the persistent challenges faced by young innovators in the agricultural sector. These hurdles frequently include limited access to finance, restricted market entry, a scarcity of technical expertise, and difficulties in forging strategic partnerships. While acknowledging Lagos's esteemed position as Nigeria’s innovation hub and one of Africa’s most expansive food markets, Olusanya underscored the imperative for concerted efforts to fortify the state’s agricultural innovation ecosystem and catalyze a transformative shift in its food systems.
Commissioner Olusanya further elaborated on the strategic alignment of the Agrithon initiative with the broader food security agendas championed by President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. She highlighted the state's proactive approach to repositioning agriculture not merely as a primary production sector, but as a comprehensive food systems sector. This revamped perspective is geared towards its immense potential for generating sustainable employment, attracting vital investments, and stimulating robust economic growth across Lagos. Key reforms already undertaken by the state government, such as the strategic transition from the Ministry of Agriculture to the more encompassing Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the detailed development of the Lagos Food Systems Roadmap, and the successful implementation of pioneering initiatives like ‘Produce for Lagos’ and the ‘Agrinnovation Club,’ were also cited as foundational steps.
The commissioner proudly noted the demonstrable success of previous Agrithon editions, which have consistently produced a cadre of entrepreneurs who not only successfully expanded their business operations but also attracted significant investments and, crucially, created employment opportunities that far exceeded initial projections. Describing the 2026 edition as the most ambitious to date, Olusanya detailed a rigorous selection process for the N200 million grant pool. This process encompasses meticulous screening, competitive business pitching sessions, thorough due diligence checks, and expert evaluation by seasoned industry professionals. Innovators engaged in diverse agricultural fields, including primary production, processing, logistics, cold chain management, mechanisation, climate resilience, biotechnology, and digital agriculture, were strongly encouraged to apply for the programme, signaling a broad and inclusive approach.
Furthermore, Olusanya extended an earnest appeal to private sector organisations, potential investors, and various development partners, urging them to lend their support to the ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening Lagos’s burgeoning agricultural innovation ecosystem. Adding to the discourse, Kamil Olufowobi, a distinguished resource person present at the event, offered invaluable advice to the young entrepreneurs. He passionately urged them to transcend mere planning and to channel their energies into meticulous execution. Olufowobi stressed that sustained success in the business arena hinges upon unwavering discipline, steadfast resilience, consistent effort, and the strategic ability to cultivate robust professional networks, advising that perceived setbacks should always be reframed as invaluable opportunities for learning and personal and professional growth.
Ultimately, the Lagos Agrithon initiative represents a cornerstone of the state government’s overarching strategy. This comprehensive approach is designed to vigorously encourage greater youth participation in the agricultural sector, foster a culture of innovation, and decisively strengthen food security throughout Lagos. It achieves this by championing technology-driven solutions and promoting sustainable agribusiness development, thereby securing a more prosperous and food-secure future for the state and its inhabitants.