The Lagos State Government has created over 15,000 jobs for residents through the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), an intervention designed to train young people aged 18 to 30 in modern agricultural practices and showcase opportunities within the food system.
The programme, which combines training, internship and mentorship, aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems’ mandate under the THEMES+ Developmental Agenda. The agenda prioritises capacity building, job creation and food security across the state.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the four-week training for the 26th cohort of the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme at the Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe, the Director of the Institute, Ms Folake Ogunlana-Lawal, described LAP as a cornerstone initiative focused on youth training and capacity building in modern agriculture.
She disclosed that the programme has trained over 5,000 people so far, noting that each beneficiary goes on to empower an average of two to three additional people, thereby expanding its employment impact.
Ogunlana-Lawal also announced that the next batch of LAP trainees will resume on February 22, 2026.
According to her, the core objective of the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme is to build a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector by equipping youths with agripreneurial skills, promoting climate-smart agriculture, reducing unemployment and positioning Lagos as a leader in addressing global food system challenges.
“LAP, which is modelled after Israel’s Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) programme and built on the principle of learning by doing, was conceptualised in 2020,” she said.
She explained that the programme runs over four months, comprising one month of intensive on-site demonstration training at the Lagos State Agricultural Training and Entrepreneurial Centre, Araga–Epe, followed by a three-month internship and mentorship phase with reputable agro-allied companies and farms.
Participants, she added, are trained, accommodated, fed and provided with training materials and safety kits at no cost. Successful trainees then proceed to an enterprise activation and incubation phase at the Lagos Food Production and Entrepreneurial Centre, Songhai, Badagry.
Ogunlana-Lawal praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his steadfast commitment to LAP and other development programmes in the state. She also commended stakeholders and partners for their support, noting that their involvement is critical to the programme’s success.
She expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, including the Commissioner, Ms Abisola Olusanya; the Permanent Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Audu; and other directors in the ministry for their unwavering support.
Addressing the trainees, Ogunlana-Lawal applauded their dedication and enthusiasm, urging them to remain committed to transforming agriculture in Lagos, Nigeria and beyond.
“Over the past month, you have learnt the fundamentals of agripreneurship, innovative farming practices and the importance of market linkages. Now is the time to put theory into practice,” she said, encouraging them to join the Lagos Agrinnovation Club to foster collaboration and innovation.
Two beneficiaries of the programme, Ayodeji Oyindamola John and Balogun Saheed Ololade, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and the Agricultural Training Institute for the opportunity.
Ayodeji, a graduate of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from the University of Ilorin, said the programme exposed him to the practical aspects of agriculture, while praising the state government for investing in youth and food security.
Balogun said he gained extensive knowledge in aquaculture and pig production, which has positioned him as a professional in the sector. He pledged to establish his own agribusiness to contribute to meat production and economic growth.
