News Investigators/ The Lagos State Government and China are set to enhance cooperation in agricultural technology transfer, research, production and trade aimed at transforming agriculture in the state.
Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture and Food Systems, disclosed this at a welcome dinner for the Lagos delegation returning from the 2026 China-Nigeria Agricultural Technology Cooperation Seminar.
The dinner was held on Thursday night at the Victoria Island residence of Ms Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos.
According to Mr Fashola, the seminar served not only as a training programme but also as an avenue for the delegation to observe how China integrated knowledge, technology, research, infrastructure, policy and enterprise to achieve agricultural transformation.
He said that the delegation returned to Lagos with new knowledge, relationships and ideas, as well as a renewed determination to translate the experience into tangible outcomes for the state.
He explained that the programme combined classroom lectures, technical and institutional visits, practical demonstrations, industry engagements and cultural exchange activities.
He said that the participants were exposed to developments in agricultural science and technology, mechanisation, post-harvest management, processing, smart agriculture, agricultural branding, circular agriculture, standardisation and value-chain development.
Mr Fashola said that visits to agricultural innovation parks, processing facilities, machinery manufacturers and trade platforms enabled the delegation to see the concepts in practical application.
“But the most important question for us is: What next?
“The true value of this programme will not be measured by the certificates we received or the institutions we visited. It will be measured by what we do differently because of this experience,” he said.
Mr Fashola said that the state had resolved to translate the knowledge and relationships developed in China into practical interventions for Lagos.
He identified opportunities in technology transfer, stronger research collaboration, youth agricultural technology exchanges, improved seed systems, better agricultural data, increased production and processing.
The special adviser said that Lagos would also explore structured pathways for agricultural trade between the state and China.
“Our ambition is clear. We want to move deliberately from knowledge exchange to technology transfer; technology transfer to local adaptation; local adaptation to research cooperation.
“We want to move from research cooperation to investment; investment to production; production to market access; and ultimately, to sustainable agricultural development,” he said.
Fashola expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for approving the delegation’s participation in the programme and for backing initiatives designed to enhance residents’ capacity and drive the state’s agricultural and food systems agenda.
He also commended the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, led by Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, for facilitating the process and ensuring smooth coordination of the delegation’s participation.
“The support received before, during and after the programme contributed immensely to the success of the delegation,” Fashola said.
The special adviser thanked the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China for sponsoring and supporting the capacity-building programme.
He also appreciated Hunan Agricultural Science Group Co. Ltd. for its organisation and implementation of the programme.
Fashola further thanked the Consul General for opening opportunities for stronger cooperation between China and Lagos State.
In her remarks, Yuqing said the Chinese Consulate would support Nigerian businesses seeking to participate in the forthcoming Cultural Fair, scheduled for Oct. 15 to Nov. 5.
She said that the consulate would provide visa support and relevant information to participating Nigerian businesses and serve as a bridge to strengthen their preparations.
Yuqing said that cooperation between China and Nigeria should extend beyond agriculture and cultural exchange to healthcare, new energy, vocational education and other areas.
“This year also marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria. It is also the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange,” she said.
The consul general said that business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges were important to strengthening relations between both countries.
She also expressed commitment to supporting women’s capacity building, saying that there was a need for greater collaboration.
Yuqing said that the consulate had undertaken charity initiatives, including “Renew the Hope, Rebirth from the Light”, which supported cataract operations, and “Together Fight Against Hunger”, which provided food donations to low-income families.
She said that the consulate planned to expand its charity activities in 2027, particularly to support women, children and young people.
NAN
