Lagos First Lady Ibijoke empowers 87 resident with N11.4M in RHI-ASP
L-R: Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; First Lady of Lagos State and Renewed Hope Initiatiave (RHI) State Coordinator, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Commissioner for Agric and Food Security, Ms. Abisola Olusanya; and APC Lagos State Women Leader, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, during the official launch of the RHI 2025 Agricultural Support programme, held at Lagos House Ikeja, on Monday, 28th July, 2025.
In a bold step toward food security and grassroots empowerment, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Monday gave out ₦11.4 million to 87 beneficiaries at the official launch of the Lagos Chapter of the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-ASP).
Held at the VIP Car Park of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, the event marked a powerful kick-off of the initiative inspired by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The RHI-ASP in Lagos covers four major programmes: Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), Youth Agricultural Support Programme (YASP), Every Home A Garden (EHAG) and the Young Farmers Club (YFC).
Sanwo-Olu revealed that ₦200,000 was transferred to each of the 27 beneficiaries under the WASP and YASP schemes, while 60 participants in the EHAG initiative received ₦100,000 each to support home gardening and urban farming.
“Unlike last year when beneficiaries received their funds months after completing the programme, this year, we are disbursing empowerment funds upfront,” she explained, adding that “This change reflects our commitment to immediate impact and timely support.”
In total, she said 380 direct beneficiaries had been selected across 57 local government areas and LCDAs, including students, farmers, and women from 27 recognised agricultural associations under the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems.
“Our goal is clear, to build food soldiers from the grassroots up. This initiative is not just about farming, it is about sustainability, education, and securing the future of our youth,” she said.
According to her, the Young Farmers Club (YFC 2.0) programme would engage 120 students from 24 public schools across Lagos, supported with seed packs, gloves, branded polos, farm tools, and a pledge to drive food production in their communities.
“Over 200 children took part in the first YFC event on World Food Day 2024. This year, we’re building on that success with stricter monitoring and greater inclusion,” she added.
The First Lady disclosed that participants in the EHAG 2.0 programme would also receive hands-on training from seasoned agricultural facilitators on how to start and maintain home gardens, stressing that the programme aligned with the IBILE gardening methodology, previously piloted in a 6-month statewide competition.
“EHAG is helping families become food producers instead of just consumers. Even in small spaces, people can grow tomatoes, maize, okra, shoko, ewedu, and more,” she noted.
Sanwo-Olu praised the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for supporting RHI-ASP with ₦60 million per state, adding that disbursements in Lagos would occur in two tranches, with the first wave already transferred to those who completed their online registration correctly.
“As I speak, bank transfers are being processed. Only properly registered beneficiaries will receive alerts today. Others will be attended to once they meet the requirements,” she confirmed.
She also announced future plans to expand inclusion in the programme to professional groups, persons with special needs, and faith-based participants, and stressed the importance of collaboration with key agencies.
Mrs. Omolara Oguntuyi from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, urged Lagosians to embrace organic farming to promote healthier produce.
“To ensure good health, try organic farming,” she advised, highlighting the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices.
Mr. Femi Ojelade, another speaker at the event, introduced the role of advanced technology in modern farming, stating, “There is no limit to expansion in agriculture.”
