Lagos once again took center stage in Africa’s agricultural innovation space as visionaries, investors, and policymakers gathered for the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0 on Thursday, 13 November 2025 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island.
Under the theme “Thriving Food Systems: Smart Future,” the summit reflected the State’s bold commitment to building a modern, resilient, and innovation-driven food ecosystem.
Government Leadership: Agriculture at the Heart of Lagos’ Vision
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube, reaffirmed the administration’s belief that food security is as critical as physical security.
He emphasized that delivering safe, affordable food for over 20 million Lagosians remains a cornerstone of the government’s agenda.
Describing Lagos as West Africa’s largest food market, he called on stakeholders to unlock the State’s vast opportunities—turning agriculture into a sector where dreams meet innovation.
He also commended financial institutions for fueling agribusiness growth through inclusive financing and impact-driven partnerships.
Sterling Bank Champions Agrinnovation Finance
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO of Sterling Bank, announced new funding plans for agritech and agribusiness entrepreneurs across Lagos.
He explained that the bank is moving beyond conventional lending toward actively investing in transformative ideas that can strengthen the entire agricultural value chain.
Mr. Suleiman also underscored the need for strategic government oversight to stabilize food prices and protect consumers from exploitative market forces.
Unleashing Youth Potential
Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, described the summit as a breeding ground for fresh ideas, youth creativity, and enterprise.
She highlighted how Lagos continues to invest in young innovators who are modernizing agriculture through technology, data, and design thinking.
Her message was clear: the future of agriculture is youthful, digital, and dynamic.
Innovation, Value and Data: Building Smart Agriculture
Panelists and industry leaders shared forward-thinking insights on what it takes to build thriving food systems in an era of rapid change.
They emphasized:
Breaking barriers such as land access, storage inefficiencies, and food waste.
Leveraging cold-chain technologies, sustainable packaging, and efficient logistics.
Designing customer-centric products that meet real-world needs.
Using data and analytics to improve decision-making and scale agribusiness operations.
The shared message? Agriculture is no longer defined by hard labor alone — it is powered by innovation, creativity, and technology.
Celebrating the Lagos Agrithon 2025 Winners
A major highlight was the recognition of outstanding innovators from the Lagos Agrithon 2025 — a ₦150 million grant-funded competition for groundbreaking agrifood solutions.
Thirty-six finalists showcased their ideas, with winners receiving between ₦1 million and ₦7.5 million to expand their ventures.
These trailblazers represent the next generation of Lagos agripreneurs turning bold ideas into scalable impact.
Looking Ahead: Lagos Leading Africa’s Smart Food Future
The Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0 reaffirmed the State’s leadership in redefining food systems through policy, finance, and youth empowerment.
With strong government support, forward-thinking banks, and a vibrant community of innovators, Lagos is building an agricultural model that is efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive.
In Lagos, agriculture is no longer just about growing food —
it’s about growing the future.
