Igbogbo-Baiyeku Youths Dive into Fish Farming as Lagos State Rolls Out Transformative Agribusiness Empowerment Programme
In a proactive drive to foster youth employment, strengthen grassroots development, and enhance food security, the Lagos State Office of Rural Development, through its Centre for Rural Development (CERUD), has launched a comprehensive Youth Empowerment and Agribusiness Training Programme in Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA.
Held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the LCDA Secretariat, the training welcomed over 50 young residents ready to explore modern opportunities in aquaculture. The session was graced by top state and local government dignitaries, setting the tone for an initiative aimed at sustainable rural transformation.
Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, led the opening address, highlighting the programme as a direct reflection of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s rural development agenda—focused on reducing youth reliance on government jobs, empowering communities with self-sufficient tools, and increasing agricultural productivity across the state.
“This isn’t just training—it’s a full launchpad into enterprise,” Dr. Agbaje stated. “From practical fish farming techniques to business development strategies, we’re handing young people the keys to unlock long-term success.”
The training sessions featured modules on:
Modern aquaculture techniques, including hatchery management and sustainable rearing,
Business planning and agribusiness scaling,
Value chain development, and
Eco-friendly farming practices that align with global environmental standards.
Participants were not only taught how to manage fish farms but were also equipped to transform their skills into viable businesses that can thrive in competitive markets.
To ensure immediate takeoff, the state government distributed empowerment packages comprising:
Large-capacity fish tanks for both hatchery and grow-out stages,
Durable smoking kilns to aid fish preservation and value addition,
Nutrient-rich fish feed to maximize yield,
Healthy fingerlings of improved breeds, and
Basic farm management kits for daily operations and maintenance.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, the newly inaugurated Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, praised the initiative and urged beneficiaries to fully commit to the training.
“Fish farming is not just an economic venture—it is a tool for social change. With the rising demand for protein-rich food globally, this opportunity holds the potential to change lives, reduce crime, and harness youth energy positively,” he said.
Barr. Adesanya Ayeni, Vice Chairman of the LCDA, and Mr. Musibau Muyiwa Balogun, Director of CERUD, were also in attendance alongside senior officials from Alausa, reinforcing the government’s oversight and commitment to programme delivery.
For many of the beneficiaries, the day marked a turning point. Several expressed their gratitude, describing the training as the breakthrough they had long hoped for but couldn’t access due to limited capital and lack of equipment.
The Igbogbo-Baiyeku initiative forms part of a state-wide blueprint for building resilient, self-reliant rural communities. By creating agripreneurs, reducing rural-urban drift, and stimulating local economies, the programme strengthens Lagos’ drive toward sustainable socioeconomic advancement.
With skills, tools, and government support in place, these empowered youths are now set to contribute meaningfully to the state’s food supply chain, job creation, and agricultural innovation.
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