Lagos Agrinnovation Hangout 6.0 Rallies Youth, Experts for Collaboration and Growth in Agric Sector

The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems has organised the 6th edition of the Lagos Agrinnovation Hangout, where participants emphasized the need for increased collaboration among members to support the state’s food security policy and drive job creation across agricultural value chains.

Speakers at the event also highlighted the importance of government providing an enabling environment that encourages more residents to embrace agriculture—not just as a hobby, but as a critical contributor to the state’s GDP and a sustainable source of livelihood.

These were some of the key points raised by guest speakers at the Lagos Agrinnovation Hangout Agenda 6.0, held at The Workforce, The Zone, in the Gbagada area of Lagos State.

Welcoming participants, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Bisola Olusanya, urged members of the Agrinnovation Club to prioritize collaboration and embrace new techniques that can help their agribusinesses grow.

She noted that the club, established in November 2023, was designed to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to network and partner across the agriculture value chain, ultimately ensuring sustainable food security in the state. She also expressed delight at the number of new members in attendance and encouraged them to maximize the opportunity.

On her part, the Consul General and Head of Trade at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Jette Bjerrum, described Nigeria’s youthful population as a key asset. She encouraged the country to tap into this demographic for innovation, just as Denmark—a country with a population of about six million—has done to become a global leader in agricultural production. Bjerrum also emphasized the importance of mechanised farming and technology adoption in driving agricultural success.

Also speaking, General Manager and Head of Marketing at Olam Agri, Bola Adeniji, recommended that Agrinnovation Club members leverage social media to grow their businesses. She revealed that over 160 million Nigerians are active on social media, with an average daily internet use of 3 hours and 45 minutes. She noted, however, that this space is underutilized for productivity. Adeniji advocated for geo-targeting and precision marketing to help agribusinesses reach their actual consumer base more effectively.

She further cited the example of Temu, a fast-growing Chinese e-commerce platform that delivers globally in under two weeks, as a model for digital efficiency.

Another speaker, Mrs. Saudat Salami, CEO/Founder of Easyshop Easycook, advised members to first understand the market value of their niche and identify their strengths. She added that even showcasing products on WhatsApp qualifies as participation in the social media economy. Salami also addressed the challenges some women face in balancing business with home building, urging entrepreneurs to set high standards and avoid rejecting product returns from customers as part of building brand trust.

CEO of Milkin Barn Limited, Mr. Tony Jibunoh, called on the government to create deliberate policies that would attract young Nigerians to farming. He stressed the importance of having offtakers for farm produce and encouraged the formation of cooperatives to access loans and government support. Jibunoh noted that his company trains and mentors final-year students from various higher institutions.

Oluwafemi Adeniba, Managing Partner at Sustmark Consult, emphasized the importance of logistics, discipline, and consistency in building a strong agribusiness brand within the Agrinnovation Club community.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, expressed delight at the growth of the Agrinnovation Club and its continued impact through innovation. He expressed optimism that future editions would surpass the current one in scope and outcomes.

Giving the vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, encouraged ministry staff to lead by example and become role models in the agricultural space. He also commended the efforts of the Agrinnovation Club Coordinator, Funmi Omoyele, for her dedication to sustaining the program.

The theme for this year’s hangout was “Marketing for Growth.”