By Chinedu Okafor, African Agricultural Correspondent
Ogun State has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Soilless Farm Lab to revolutionize agriculture through youth empowerment, modern technology, and sustainable practices. The initiative aims to create agribusiness jobs, strengthen food security, and position farming as a resilient, technology-driven sector across Nigeria.
The collaboration was showcased during the graduation ceremony of the 12th cohort of the Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture (EYIA) program, a joint effort between the Mastercard Foundation and Soilless Farm Lab. The program trains young Nigerians in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and nutrition, with a focus on enhancing the vegetable value chain.
Government Commitment to Youth Agribusiness
Speaking at the event, Dr. Angel Adelaja, Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture to the Governor of Ogun State, emphasized the alignment of the program with the state’s vision.
“Our vision is clear: to build a modern, technology-driven agricultural economy that empowers young people, enhances food security, and attracts investment. The work of Soilless Farm Lab aligns perfectly with this vision, and we’re proud to be partners on this journey,” she said.
Dr. Adelaja highlighted the government’s support for past participants, including ₦5 million in grants and access to land for scaling agribusiness ventures. Many graduates, she noted, are now running thriving enterprises that contribute significantly to food security and climate adaptation.
Transformative Impact of EYIA
Project Manager for Soilless Farm Lab, Ms. Peace Bassey, outlined the program’s achievements over its three-year pilot phase. EYIA has directly trained 12,000 participants, with an additional 18,000 secondary beneficiaries impacted through peer-to-peer knowledge transfer.
Infrastructure milestones include the construction of 960 greenhouses and the establishment of 240 new companies. Collectively, these ventures generate over ₦40 million in monthly revenue, excluding contract jobs, and have secured more than ₦50 million in grants.
Success stories abound, such as Hannah Rotimi-William of AgriWellness and Israel of Calvary Farms, who have diversified into sectors like fashion and catering while maintaining strong agricultural roots.
Community Development and Expansion
Beyond agribusiness, the initiative has transformed communities in Awowo, electrifying villages such as Agbopa, Egan, and Olowopapa, and constructing a 5 km road. Free basic education is now available to over 100 children, thanks to the vision of an EYIA graduate.
The program’s model has attracted institutional support, with replication underway in Ekiti, Niger, and Jigawa States.
Fighting Hunger with Innovation
Paul Idoko, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Soilless Farm Lab, reiterated the organization’s commitment to year-round farming.
“Farming should not be seasonal because hunger is not seasonal,” he said, pointing to the Lab’s operation of over 1,050 greenhouses that ensure continuous production.
Idoko confirmed that the program has trained youth from all 36 states of Nigeria, the FCT, and several African countries, with secondary impact reaching over 19,000 people. Additionally, more than 3,200 adult farmers have been trained in collaboration with partners such as the British American Tobacco Foundation.
Looking Ahead
Optimistic about the future, Idoko expressed confidence that the partnership will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We believe hunger will be tackled, the voice of farmers will be heard, and agriculture will remain at the forefront of development,” he concluded.
