26 Startups Get Lagos, Agrinovation Grants

Lagos State government, in partnership with Lagos Agrinnovation Club has distributed N100 million worth of grants to 26 innovators and startups in the first Agrithon in the state.

The grant presentation is the first Lagos Agrinnovation Summit, themed “Shaping Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for the Next Generation,” in Ikeja, Lagos.

The organisers said, “The competition provides a unique platform where ideas take root and tomorrow’s agricultural leaders can pitch their simple but enduring solutions to pressing challenges in the agri-food sector.

“The summit has a total of 316 entries from across the country. These were young, dynamic startups and innovators, each with a vision to reshape agriculture and make wealth in a sector ignored by peers.”

Through a careful screening process led by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Eko Innovation Centre (EIC), startups were selected and presented their ideas in person to esteemed judges, investors, and industry leaders, vying for a funding opportunity.

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, highlighted the importance of building an agricultural sector that serves as the backbone of the economy, providing jobs, sustaining communities, and meeting the nutritional needs of the people.

He stressed that agricultural development requires embracing technology, fostering collaboration, and creating sustainable practices to yield significant benefits.

“In doing this, we must place young people at the centre of our efforts because it is their energy, ideas, and ambition that will drive this transformation forward,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

He referenced the Lagos Agricultural and Food System Roadmap 2021-2025, a bold strategy designed to increase productivity, boost food security, create jobs, and foster resilience through a strong, innovative agricultural sector.