The Lagos State Government has generated over 15,000 jobs through its flagship Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), reinforcing its commitment to food security and youth empowerment under the THEMES+ Developmental Agenda.
The milestone was highlighted by Folake Ogunlana-Lawal, Director of the Agricultural Training Institute, during the closing ceremony for the 26th cohort of trainees at the Araga-Epe facility.
Conceptualised in 2020 and modelled after Israel’s world-renowned Arava International Centre for Agriculture Training (AICAT), LAP focuses on a “learning by doing” philosophy.
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The programme targets youths aged 18 to 30, transforming them from job seekers into “agripreneurs.”
The training programme will be delivered in three phases.
In the first phase, participants will undergo one month of intensive, on-site demonstration training at Araga-Epe.
The state government will fully fund this stage, covering feeding and accommodation.
The second phase will involve a three-month internship and mentorship placement with reputable agro-allied firms, where participants will gain hands-on industry experience.
In the final phase, successful trainees will proceed to enterprise activation and incubation at the Lagos Food Production and Entrepreneurial Centre in Songhai, Badagry.
Since its inception, the programme has directly trained over 5,000 youths.
According to Ogunlana-Lawal, the exponential job growth is a result of the “multiplier effect,” where each graduate goes on to employ an average of two to three additional people in their respective agribusinesses.
The programme directly trained more than 5,000 participants and created over 15,000 jobs. It targeted young people between the ages of 18 and 30. The next batch of beneficiaries is scheduled to resume on 22 February 2026.
The 26th cohort graduates expressed deep gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the investment in their futures.
Ayodeji Oyindamola John, an Agriculture Extension graduate from the University of Ilorin, noted that the programme bridged the gap between academic theory and real-world practice.
Similarly, Balogun Ololade highlighted his new expertise in aquaculture and pig production, vowing to contribute significantly to the nation’s meat production.
“Keep pushing boundaries,” Ogunlana-Lawal urged the graduates. “As you start your own businesses, consider joining the Lagos Agrinnovation Club to connect with like-minded individuals and drive innovation.”
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The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, led by Commissioner Abisola Olusanya, continues to position the state as a leader in climate-smart agriculture.
By equipping the youth with modern skills, the state aims to build a resilient food system capable of addressing global economic challenges.
