Lagos empowers youth agripreneurs withN150m

In a significant move to bolster food production and empower its vibrant youth, the Lagos State Government launched Lagos Agrithon 2025, announcing injection of N150 million into promising agrifood startups.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya made the announcement yesterday  during a press briefing held at the Ministry’s Conference Room.

“This year, we are proud to announce our large grant pool of ₦150 million, which will be awarded to at least 35 promising agrifood startups and teams across key value chains in the State’s food systems,” the Commissioner announced.

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According to her, the Lagos Agrithon 2025, an agricultural hackathon, is designed to identify and support innovative, youth-led solutions addressing the critical food challenges facing Nigeria’s most populous city.

Her words: “With Lagos consuming over 70 per cent more food than it produces and its population projected to exceed 30 million by 2035, the need for sustainable and scalable food systems is paramount. With our population projected to exceed 30 million by 2035, this growing demand places immense pressure on our food systems, supply chains, and affordability. The future of food in Lagos is not just an agricultural issue – it is an economic, environmental, and social imperative.”

The Commissioner highlighted the vast, yet often untapped, agricultural opportunities within Lagos, despite its rapid urbanisation and limited arable land. These opportunities, she explained, range from innovative urban and vertical farming techniques such as hydroponics and aquaponics, to leveraging the state’s waterways for aquaculture and fisheries.

Agro-processing, improved food supply chain logistics and the modernisation of urban food markets were also identified as key areas for growth and investment.”

Ms. Olusanya emphasised that despite rapid urbanisation and limited arable land, Lagos holds several untapped opportunities in agriculture and food production that can significantly boost food security, drive economic growth, and generate employment.

She further stressed the importance of “public-private partnerships (PPPs) to fund large-scale agricultural projects, including mechanised farming and processing hubs,” underscoring the collaborative approach central to the Agrithon.

According to her, the Ministry is seeking innovative ideas in areas such as climate-smart and sustainable agriculture, food production and processing across the value chain, precision farming, agri-fintech, digital innovation, post-harvest storage, logistics, food traceability, market access, and food affordability solutions. “These are not just priority areas. They are the frontlines of our fight for a food-secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven Lagos, “Ms. Olusanya, said.

Applications, she explained, would be rigorously judged on innovation and originality, feasibility and contextual relevance, market viability and impact potential, sustainability and eco-alignment, and the clarity of presentation and team strength.

LAGOS AGRITHON 2025 is more than just a competition; it is envisioned as a “movement,” a “platform for bold ideas, for youth-led innovation, and for scalable solutions that tackle the food challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.” Building on the success of the previous year, where 26 youth-led agribusinesses received ₦100 million in support, the 2025 edition significantly expands the program’s scope.

The call for applications, she explained, is opened to young entrepreneurs between 18 and 40 years old, whose startups are between 0 and 5 years old, operate within the agriculture or food systems space, and are either based in Lagos or demonstrate a measurable impact within the state.

She stressed: “Applicants must also be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and enrolled with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), with their ideas focused on solving real, well-defined challenges in the food or agriculture sector.

Interested participants, she continued, are required to complete an online registration form and submit a compelling pitch deck outlining the problem they aim to solve, their proposed solution, and the anticipated impact.

According to her, the expanded programme will feature virtual and physical pitch sessions, a dedicated mentorship hub to refine business models and execution strategies, and a grand finale where winners will be unveiled during the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0 – a flagship event connecting innovators with investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.

“Full details and application guidelines are available on the Lagos Agrinnovation and Ministry websites. Lagos Agrithon 2025 is not just a programme. It is a strategic response to a real and growing challenge. It is an investment in the minds and hands that will feed our future,” Olusanya maintained. She urged young innovators, development partners, investors, educators, and the media to join the Lagos State Government in making the movement a success, reiterating the collective responsibility to “shape the future of food systems in Lagos together.”

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