News in brief:
– Lagos State awarded ₦100 million in grants to 26 agripreneurs to boost youth-driven agribusiness and food security.
– The grants ranged from ₦1 million to ₦7 million per individual, empowering startups to expand sustainable agricultural ventures.
The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has awarded ₦100 million in grants to 26 young agripreneurs during the maiden edition of Agrinnovation.
This initiative, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in collaboration with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and the Eko Innovation Centre (EIC), aims to boost food security and empower youth in agriculture.
Funding for agricultural innovation
At the event, themed Shaping Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for the Next Generation, startups competed for grants ranging from ₦1 million to ₦7 million to expand their agribusinesses.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, emphasised the state’s unwavering commitment to food production and youth empowerment.
One of the top beneficiaries, Jumamai Abalaka, founder of PricePally, expressed gratitude for the ₦7 million grant. She acknowledged its potential to scale her business and support food systems innovation in Lagos. Mushroom producer, Eti Farms Global, and Leky Mills also received ₦5 million from the support initiative.
Congratulations again to all the winners of The Lagos Agrithon. #100MGrant #LagosAgrinnovationClub.
Thank you Mr Governor @jidesanwoolu for your continuous support towards startups and businesses in Nigeria; making Lagos the startup capital of Africa.@followlasg @lagosagric1 pic.twitter.com/MCQZjdINOV
— Lagos Agrinnovation Club (@lagos_agriclub) November 17, 2024
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the event’s focus on youth involved in diverse areas of agribusiness, including logistics, crop production, livestock farming, food storage, and culinary services. She reiterated that the summit laid a foundation for meaningful food security interventions.
