Lagos | July 30, 2025
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday officially launched the 2025 edition of the RHI Agriculture Support Programme, an initiative of the Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu Reach-Out Initiative (RHI), aimed at strengthening food security and youth engagement in agribusiness across the state.
The programme, which took place at the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, Oko-Oba, Agege, witnessed the disbursement of support grants and starter packs to a total of 260 beneficiaries, with 100 individuals receiving ₦200,000 grants, while another 160 beneficiaries were awarded ₦100,000 each along with basic farming equipment to kick-start or scale their agricultural ventures.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the initiative’s focus on reducing unemployment, promoting food self-sufficiency, and encouraging economic sustainability through agriculture, particularly among youths and women.
“This programme is not just about farming; it’s about empowerment and resilience. We are building a new generation of agripreneurs who will feed Lagos and Nigeria,” she said.
In addition to the financial and material support, over 120 students from various secondary schools across Lagos were formally inducted into Young Farmers Club 2.0, a platform designed to stimulate agricultural interest and skills among schoolchildren.
The initiative, she noted, aligns with the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, particularly the pillar focused on food security and agriculture development.
Also in attendance were senior government officials, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, school administrators, and stakeholders in the agribusiness sector, all of whom lauded the First Lady’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the support, pledging to make meaningful use of the grants and starter packs to contribute to the state’s agricultural growth.