BATN Foundation Recognised for Driving Agricultural Innovation and Food Security in Lagos

The Lagos State Government has honoured the BATN Foundation for its sustained contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural development and food security over the past two decades. The recognition was presented during the grand finale of the 2025 Eko World Food Day at the Police College, Ikeja, highlighting the Foundation’s commitment to empowering farmers and strengthening food systems through public-private partnerships.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu lauded the BATN Foundation for its “unwavering commitment to advancing innovation and deepening resilience across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.” He added, “Feeding a megacity like Lagos requires bold investments, innovation, and robust partnerships. Collaborations such as this are crucial to ensuring food sufficiency.”

Aligned with the UN’s World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand, For Better Food and a Better Future,” the event showcased the Foundation’s impactful initiatives, including the donation of 60 modern smoking kilns and 40 foldable fish ponds to trained smallholder farmers under its Fingerlings to Fork programme, implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority. These resources are aimed at improving post-harvest processing, enhancing food quality, and promoting climate-smart practices.

Board Director Yarub A Bahrani emphasised the Foundation’s far-reaching impact, stating, “Over the past 20 years, we have directly supported more than 300,000 farmers and reached over 1.7 million beneficiaries, including women and youth, across all 36 states and the FCT. Food security is a collective effort, and collaboration is key to building a better future.”

Board Director Odiri Erewa Meggison added that the Foundation’s programmes embody the event’s theme by equipping farmers with practical tools and promoting commercially viable, climate resilient agribusinesses.

The Eko World Food Day fair also provided a vibrant marketplace for smallholder farmers supported by the state and the Foundation to sell fresh produce directly to consumers, bridging farm to market gaps and boosting local economies.

Since its inception in 2002, the BATN Foundation has implemented over 350 community development projects nationwide, focusing on sustainable agriculture, rural enterprise, and youth inclusion, solidifying its role as a key driver of Nigeria’s agricultural growth and food security agenda.