LASG CREATES OVER 15,000 JOBS THROUGH LAGOS AGRIPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

The Lagos State Government has created over 15,000 jobs for its residents through the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), an intervention programme aimed at training young people between the ages of 18 and 30 years in modern agricultural practices to showcase the possibilities in the food systems using training, internship, and mentorship platforms.

The intervention programme is in line with the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in the THEMES+ Developmental Agenda of the State Government, which includes capacity building, employment generation, and promotion of food security, among others.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the four-week training of the 26th cohort of Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP) held at the Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe, Lagos, the Director of the Institute, Ms Folake Ogunlana-Lawal, said LAP emerges as a cornerstone, focusing on youth training and capacity building in modern agricultural practices.

The Director of the Agricultural Training Institute said the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme has trained over 5,000 people, with each trainee or beneficiary empowering and creating jobs for an average of an additional two to three people.

She disclosed that the next batch of trainees for LAP will resume on February 22, 2026.

Speaking further, Ogunlana-Lawal said the objective of the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme is to build a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in Lagos State by equipping youths with modern agripreneurial skills, fostering food security, reducing unemployment, promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, and positioning Lagos as a proactive leader in addressing global economic and food system challenges.

“LAP, which is modelled after Israel’s Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) programme, with the fundamental principle of learning by doing, was conceptualised in the year 2020. The programme has trained over 5,000 youths in a four-month period that involved one month of intensive on-site demonstration training phase at the Lagos State Agricultural Training and Entrepreneurial Centre in Araga–Epe and three-month internship/mentorship phase.

“During the programme, the participants were trained, accommodated, fed and provided with training materials and safety kits for free by the Lagos State Government followed by a three-month internship phase with reputable agro-allied companies/farms with the final phase at the enterprise activation, where successful participants undergo an incubation period at Lagos Food Production and Entrepreneurial Centre, Songhai, Badagry,” she said.

Ogunlana-Lawal, while speaking on the success of the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme, which has empowered and produced thousands of entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, appreciated the steadfast commitment of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to LAP and other development programmes in the State.

She also commended stakeholders and other partners for their support, saying their involvement is crucial to the success of the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme.

“I want to extend my gratitude to our esteemed principals and leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, particularly the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya; the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Audu; and the Directors of the Ministry for their unwavering support to Lagos Agripreneurship Programme. Their commitment to transforming agriculture in Lagos is truly inspiring,” she said.

The Director of the Agricultural Training Institute also commended the dedication and enthusiasm of the trainees, saying they have shown great potential in embracing the world of agribusiness. She implored them to keep pushing boundaries and stay committed to transforming agriculture in Lagos, Nigeria, and even the world at large.

She said: “Over the past month, you have learnt about the fundamentals of agripreneurship, innovative farming practices, and the importance of market linkages. Now, it is time to put theory into practice. We are excited to see your progress and innovations in the months to come. As you start your own businesses, consider joining the Lagos Agrinnovation Club – it is a great platform to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and drive innovation in the agricultural space.”

Speaking at the event, two beneficiaries, Ayodeji Oyindamola John and Balogun Saheed Ololade, appreciated the Lagos State Government and the leadership of the Agricultural Training Institute for the opportunity given to them and promised to be good ambassadors of the Institute.

Ayodeji, who is a graduate of Agriculture Extension and Rural Development from the University of Ilorin, said the programme has exposed him more to the practical aspects of agriculture.

He praised Governor Sanwo-Olu and other Lagos State Government officials for the opportunity they presented to the youths in Lagos State and for investing in the agricultural sector of the State for food security.

Balogun said he obtained a lot of experience and knowledge in aquaculture and pig production through the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme, thereby making him a professional in the agricultural sector.

He praised the Lagos State Government for the programme, promising that he will set up an agribusiness after the training to empower himself and also contribute to meat production in the country.