The Lagos State Government and China are set to strengthen cooperation in agricultural technology transfer, research, production and trade as part of efforts to transform the state’s agricultural sector.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, disclosed this at a welcome dinner for the Lagos delegation that returned from the 2026 China-Nigeria Agricultural Technology Cooperation Seminar.
The event was held on Thursday at the Victoria Island residence of Ms Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos.
Fashola said the seminar provided the delegation with an opportunity to learn how China combined technology, research, infrastructure, policy and enterprise to drive agricultural transformation.
He said the Lagos delegation returned with new knowledge, partnerships and ideas that would be translated into practical initiatives for the state.
According to him, the programme featured lectures, technical and institutional visits, practical demonstrations, industry engagements and cultural exchanges.
He said participants were exposed to advances in agricultural science and technology, mechanisation, post-harvest management, processing, smart agriculture, branding, circular agriculture, standardisation and value-chain development.
Fashola said visits to agricultural innovation parks, processing facilities, machinery manufacturers and trade platforms gave the delegation practical insight into the application of the technologies.
He said the state was now focused on converting the knowledge and relationships gained from the programme into tangible outcomes.
“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.
Fashola identified technology transfer, research collaboration, youth agricultural technology exchanges, improved seed systems, better agricultural data, increased production and processing as key areas of potential cooperation.
He added that Lagos would explore structured opportunities 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.
The special adviser thanked Gov. Sanwo-Olu for approving the delegation’s participation and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening agricultural capacity and advancing the state’s food systems agenda.
He also commended the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, led by Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, for facilitating and coordinating the delegation’s participation.
Fashola expressed appreciation to China’s Ministry of Commerce for sponsoring the programme and to Hunan Agricultural Science Group Co. Ltd. for organising and implementing it.
He also thanked the Chinese Consul General for creating opportunities for deeper cooperation between Lagos and China.
In her remarks, Yuqing said the Chinese Consulate would support Nigerian businesses participating in the forthcoming Cultural Fair scheduled for Oct. 15 to Nov. 5.
She said the consulate would provide visa support and relevant information to participating businesses while helping to facilitate their engagement.
Yuqing said China-Nigeria cooperation should extend beyond agriculture and cultural exchange to areas such as healthcare, new energy and vocational education.
She noted that 2026 marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange.
The consul general said business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges remained important to deepening relations between the two countries.
She also pledged greater support for women’s capacity building and collaboration.
Yuqing said the consulate had implemented charitable initiatives, including support for cataract surgeries and food donations to low-income families, and planned to expand such programmes in 2027, particularly for women, children and young people.