As part of its commitment to transforming agriculture and building a sustainable food system, the Lagos Ministry of Agriculture & Food Systems department in collaboration with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Eko Innovation Centre, supported by the Lagos State Government has awarded N100 million in grants to 26 young agripreneurs at the maiden edition of the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit.
The collaborative project – designed to foster meaningful conversations, partnerships, and groundbreaking innovations within the agricultural sector – was themed: ‘Shaping Sustainable Agriculture and Food System for the Next Generation’, and reiterated the government’s commitment to boost food security and production in the state, as well as serve as the backbone of the economy.
Some of the startup beneficiaries of the Lagos State grant include: PricePally, Happy Coffee, Farmcraft Foods Limited, Rehoboth 910, Foodie World, Ofadahub Nigeria Limited, Hommal Foods, Dharkag Empire Limited, D-olivette Renewable Energy, Green Mall, Dehydrator Hub, Agricfood Technology Limited, Corporate Farmers International Limited, Ultra Farms Integrated Ventures limited, Eti Farms Global Limited, Hairat Ajao & Co (Fisherwoman), Ecotutu Limited, Ofadaboy Company, Leky Mills Limited, Yellow Fish Limited, Ufarmy Ecoedu-Tech Solution Limited, Fauzziyah’s Honey Limited, and Green Republic Limited.
Three of the 26 winners expressed their delight:
Jummai Abalaka (Founder & COO, PricePally) who won N7 million naira expressed her gratitude to the Lagos state government, stating that the grant will assist in taking her business ‘to the next level’.
Oyindamola Dada (Co-Founder, Hommal Foods) says she is excited to have been considered one of the competition winners after such intense pitching sessions and competitiveness from several innovative enterprises. For Dada, the funds will enable the business produce goods on a much larger scale.
Ifeoma Arua (Co-Founder, Lagos Coffee Festival) who represented the N5 million winning Happy Coffee Company says the grant will help the business get some of the cutting-edge machinery indispensable to processing its coffee products.
A speech by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde) stated:
We gather here with the purpose to build sustainable agriculture and food system for the next generation and to ensure that Lagos not only sustains itself but leads Nigeria and Africa towards food security and agricultural excellence.
As a government, we understand that agriculture development depends on more than just traditional practices. It requires us to embrace technology, foster collaboration and create sustainable practices that endure.
I want to commend particularly the creation of the Lagos Agrinnovation Club. This club is not just an initiative it has become a community of young agriprenuers, a hub of creativity and a platform for those who dare to reimagine agriculture.
This year’s Agrithon saw 316 business case entries from dynamic startups, championed by young people who are driven by their vision to transform agriculture and build sustainable solutions. The 26 finalists we honour today have not only made it through a rigorous selection process but have also shown us that the future of food in Lagos is brought. With access to mentorship, network and share of the N100 million Agrinnovation Fund, these entrepreneurs will have the resources to take their enterprise’s solutions further.
To our Agrithon finalists, I urge you to put this funding to excellent use, as you’ve demonstrated through your impressive and innovative ideas.