Lagos Agric Scholars Competition: 12 Schools Emerge Champions from 400 Entries, Receive Modern Net Houses
Out of more than 400 public and private secondary schools that registered for the 2026 Lagos Agricultural Scholars Programme (LASP), only 25 advanced to the highly competitive Vegetable Production Competition, with 12 schools eventually emerging as champions and receiving modern net houses from the Lagos State Government for their outstanding performance.
The award presentation, held on Tuesday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, underscored the state’s commitment to developing future agripreneurs through practical, technology driven agricultural education. The competition, which attracted schools from the six educational districts of Lagos State, was designed to encourage innovation, food security, entrepreneurship and climate smart farming among secondary school students.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of agriculture and youth development in the state.
According to him, the competition challenged participating schools to convert classroom knowledge into practical farming by demonstrating competence in land preparation, crop establishment, agronomic practices, innovation, pest and disease management, environmental sanitation, record keeping, productivity, teamwork and sustainability.
He explained that following a statewide call for entries, over 400 schools applied for the programme, but only 25 met the stringent eligibility requirements to participate in the competition.
Audu urged the winning schools to maximise the use of the net houses by transforming them into centres of excellence for agricultural learning, research and innovation, while serving as demonstration hubs where other schools can acquire practical knowledge of protected vegetable production.
Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, said the Lagos Agricultural Scholars Programme was established to rekindle students’ interest in modern agriculture and expose them to the opportunities within the agricultural value chain.
He noted that the selected schools underwent intensive capacity building and were provided with agricultural tools and production inputs before the competition, enabling students to gain hands on experience in vegetable production while embracing modern farming technologies.
Fashola said the net houses presented to the winning schools were more than prizes, describing them as strategic investments that would enable year round vegetable production, improve crop yields, minimise losses from pests and adverse weather, conserve water and expose students to globally accepted protected farming technologies.
He added that the initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES Plus Development Agenda by promoting food security, quality education, youth empowerment, economic diversification and environmental sustainability.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Bisola Dokunmu Adegbite, commended the initiative, saying she was impressed by the quality of vegetables produced by the students.
She said the programme reflects the government’s determination to nurture students’ talents beyond academics by equipping them with practical skills capable of creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Sharing his experience, Mr. Shobowale Sule of Ronik Comprehensive School, Ejigbo, said the initiative has transformed students’ perception of agriculture in his school.
According to him, more students now enrol in agricultural science classes, while teachers and parents have also benefited from vegetables cultivated by the students. He added that the programme has inspired students to see agriculture as a viable career and business opportunity.
At the end of the keenly contested competition, Home Science Association Secondary School emerged overall winner with a score of 86 per cent, while Kith and Kin International College placed second with 85 per cent. Abule Eko Community Senior Grammar School finished third with 82.7 per cent.
The other winning schools are Omole Senior Grammar School, Henna Teck International School, Lagos Anglican Girls, Surulere, Abbot Dayspring College, Ronik Comprehensive School, Glorious James Model College, Badagry, Awori Ajeromi Senior Grammar School, Agboju, Anglican Comprehensive High School, Ipaja, and Great Omega College, Ikorodu.
The presentation of the net houses marked the climax of the 2026 Lagos Agricultural Scholars Programme competition, reinforcing the Lagos State Government’s resolve to use practical education and innovation to raise a new generation of young agricultural leaders capable of driving food security and sustainable development.
