Victoria Mbangwa
The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Agrithon 2025, a ₦150 million agricultural innovation programme targeting youth-led agrifood startups.
Announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems at a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, the initiative aims to support at least 35 startups with practical, technology-driven solutions to address Lagos’s food production and distribution challenges.
According to the Commissioner, Lagos consumes over 70 percent more food than it produces, a gap that continues to widen as the city’s population surges. Current projections show Lagos’s population surpassing 30 million by 2035, putting further pressure on its already strained food supply chains.
While the state grapples with limited arable land and rapid urbanisation, the government believes there are vast, untapped opportunities in areas like urban agriculture, vertical farming, aquaculture, agro-processing, and modern market systems.
“The future of food in Lagos is not just about agriculture; it is an economic, environmental, and social imperative,” she said.
Building on the success of the 2024 edition which awarded ₦100 million to 26 youth-led startups this year’s Agrithon is expanding both its funding pool and its scope. Priority will be given to innovations in climate-smart agriculture, agri-fintech, food traceability, logistics, digital farming tools, and post-harvest technologies.
Eligible participants must be between 18 and 40 years old, lead startups that are no older than five years, and be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Applicants must also be enrolled with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA) and operate in or have a measurable impact within Lagos State.
Applications must be submitted online and include a detailed pitch deck outlining the problem being addressed, the proposed solution, and its potential impact. Entries will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, sustainability, market relevance, and team strength.
The Commissioner also emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in scaling up agricultural production. She pointed to the need for mechanised farming projects, processing hubs, and wider technology adoption across the sector.
The Agrithon will feature both virtual and in-person pitch sessions, access to a dedicated mentorship hub, and will culminate in the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0, where winning teams will be announced and connected to investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
Describing the programme as a collective mission, the Commissioner urged all sectors of society to participate.
“Lagos Agrithon 2025 is not just a programme. It is an investment in the minds and hands that will feed our future,” she said.
