Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has commended the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for supporting the Renewed Hope Initiative 2025 Agricultural Support Programme with N60 million, describing it as a bold step towards ensuring food security and empowering women and youth across the country.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme and presentation of cheques to beneficiaries at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, she noted that the initiative had reawakened a consciousness among women and young people to embrace agriculture as a sustainable means of livelihood.
“For me, the Lagos story is changing, and it is changing for the best. We will build a Lagos where no one goes to bed hungry, a Lagos where our women and youth are financially independent.
“Agriculture is not just our heritage, it’s our future. Let us remember that the food we eat starts with us,” she said.
A total of 87 farmers received N11.4 million under the Lagos chapter of the RHI 2025 Agricultural Support Programme.
Of the beneficiaries, 27 women and youth received N200,000 each along with farming inputs to support their productivity, while 60 others drawn from the senatorial districts of the state were given N100,000 each under the “Every Home A Garden 2.0” component.
The beneficiaries are involved in various forms of agriculture, including fisheries, vegetable cultivation, garri processing, poultry, beekeeping, and zobo drink production.
As part of efforts to spark youth interest in agriculture, 120 students from 24 schools across the six education districts, five each from junior and senior categories, were selected to participate in the agricultural project under the Young Farmers Club.
Dr Sanwo-Olu noted that the initiative includes four key components: the Women Agricultural Support Programme, Youth Agricultural Support Programme, Every Home a Garden, and Young Farmers Club.
She said the programme was launched simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation to scale its impact nationally.
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Also speaking, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat, described the initiative as a tool for boosting household food production.
“The state is witnessing a new wave of opportunities,” she said, urging beneficiaries to “plant the seed with care.”
An experienced farmer, Femi Ojelade, and the Lagos State Coordinator from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Omolara Oguntuyi, encouraged the youth to take up agriculture as a career path, noting its role in Nigeria’s future.
They also stressed the importance of organic farming in today’s agricultural landscape.
Among the attendees were students from various schools in Lagos who are members of the Young Farmers Club.
