Lagos: The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, has officially launched the application portal for the Lagos Agrithon 2025, targeting the youth demographic within the state. The state’s commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, announced this development during a news conference in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lagos Agrithon is an agricultural hackathon that offers startups a platform to present their innovative solutions, providing them access to funding, potential investors, mentorship, and increased visibility across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. The initiative aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and efficiency in agriculture. Initiated in 2024, the Lagos Agrithon seeks to address challenges such as food insecurity and climate change within the agrifood ecosystem.
Olusanya highlighted the purpose behind Lagos Agrithon, which emerged from the necessity to address agricultural sector challenges through innova
tive ideas and pitches. The application portal for the Lagos Agrithon competition is open from June 2 to June 27 for eligible agripreneurs. The commissioner emphasized the substantial grant pool of ?150 million, which will be awarded to at least 35 promising agrifood startups and teams across key value chains in the state’s food systems.
Building on the previous year’s success, where 26 youth-led agribusinesses received ?100 million, the 2025 edition includes virtual and physical pitch sessions and a mentorship hub to strengthen business models. The winners will be announced during the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit 2.0. Eligible youths between 18 to 40 years old, with startups operating in agriculture or food systems within Lagos, are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and enrolled with LASSRA.
The initiative focuses on climate-smart and sustainable agriculture, food production and processing, precision farming, agri-fintech, digital innovation, post-harves
t storage, logistics, and food traceability. Interested participants must submit an online registration form and a pitch deck outlining their problem, solution, and expected impact.
Mrs. Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, encouraged youths to seize the opportunity presented by the Lagos Agrithon and emphasized the importance of presenting strong pitches in the competition. Mr. Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, assured that the selection of eligible agripreneurs would be conducted fairly and encouraged Lagos-based businesses to take advantage of the support offered.