Lagos First Lady Launches N60 Million Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Program

Ikeja, Lagos – Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State Governor and State Coordinator for the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has officially launched the Lagos Chapter of the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-ASP). The initiative, designed to bolster food security and promote agricultural participation among women and youth, represents a significant step in Nigeria’s agricultural development strategy.

Boosting Food Security Through Grassroots Agriculture

Speaking at the launch event held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the program, championed by Nigeria’s First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, aims to address food insecurity while encouraging sustainable farming practices at the household level. “This initiative is poised to further boost the nation’s food security,” she stated, “while encouraging women, youths, and the younger generation to embrace home gardening.”

Four-Pronged Agricultural Initiative

The RHI-ASP comprises four key components designed to cater to different demographic groups:

• Women Agricultural Support Program (WASP): Targeted at female farmers
• Youth Agricultural Support Program (YASP): Focused on engaging young people in agriculture
• Every Home a Garden (EHAG): Promoting backyard farming
• Young Farmers Club (YFC): Introducing school children to agriculture

Substantial Financial Backing for Beneficiaries

The program has received significant financial support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which partnered with the Renewed Hope Initiative to provide N60 million to Lagos State. This funding has been strategically allocated across the various program components.

Under the Women and Youth Agricultural Support Programmes, 200 beneficiaries received N200,000 grants each, along with essential farming inputs to enhance their productivity. Additionally, 60 participants in the Every Home a Garden initiative were awarded N100,000 each to support their backyard farming activities.

Inclusive Selection Process

Dr. Sanwo-Olu explained that beneficiaries were carefully selected through a transparent online registration process that ensured representation from all three senatorial districts of Lagos State. This inclusive approach guarantees that the program’s benefits reach diverse communities across the state.

Investing in Future Farmers

The program’s educational component, the Young Farmers Club (YFC 2.0), has enrolled over 120 students in its second phase. These students, drawn from both junior and senior secondary schools across Lagos’s six educational districts, received complete farming kits including seeds for tomatoes, peppers, and assorted vegetables.

“We’re particularly excited about the Young Farmers Club,” Dr. Sanwo-Olu remarked. “By introducing agriculture to students at this formative stage, we’re cultivating the next generation of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.”

Building on Previous Success

Mr. Ayo Afuwape, Chairman of the Office of the First Lady’s Lagos State Farmers Committee, highlighted the program’s track record of success. “The First Lady of Nigeria and the wife of Lagos Governor have been consistent in their belief that agriculture remains an enduring solution to socio-economic challenges,” he noted. “Several success stories and thriving businesses have emerged from previous editions of this program.”

Acknowledging Leadership

Dr. Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to Senator Tinubu for her vision in establishing the initiative. “Her commitment to encouraging home farming across numerous households will ultimately bring much-needed relief to many Nigerians,” she said, “while simultaneously promoting agricultural development and food security nationwide.”

The launch of the Lagos Chapter of RHI-ASP marks a significant milestone in the state’s agricultural development strategy, aligning with broader national efforts to enhance food security and create sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.

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