The Lagos State Government and China are set to deepen cooperation in agricultural technology transfer, research, production and trade as part of efforts to transform the state’s agricultural sector.
Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture and Food Systems, disclosed this at a welcome dinner for the Lagos delegation that participated in 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.
Fashola said the seminar went beyond training, exposing the delegation to how China combined knowledge, technology, research, infrastructure, policy and private enterprise to transform its agricultural sector.
He said the delegation returned to Lagos with new knowledge, partnerships and ideas, as well as a stronger resolve to convert the experience into practical outcomes for the state.
According to him, the programme featured classroom lectures, technical and institutional visits, practical demonstrations, industry engagements and cultural exchanges.
The participants also gained exposure to advances in agricultural science and technology, mechanisation, post-harvest management, processing, smart agriculture, agricultural branding, circular agriculture, standardisation and value-chain development.
Fashola said visits to agricultural innovation parks, processing plants, machinery manufacturers and trade platforms allowed the delegation to see the technologies and strategies in practical use.
“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.
Fashola said Lagos had resolved to convert the knowledge and partnerships developed in China into practical interventions across the state.
He identified opportunities in technology transfer, research collaboration, youth agricultural technology exchanges, improved seed systems, agricultural data management, increased production and processing.
The state, he added, would also explore structured opportunities to expand agricultural trade between Lagos 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,” Fashola said.
The special adviser thanked Sanwo-Olu for approving the delegation’s participation and supporting initiatives aimed at building capacity and advancing 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 and coordinating the delegation’s participation.
Fashola further appreciated the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China for sponsoring the programme and Hunan Agricultural Science Group Co. Ltd. for organising and implementing it.
He also thanked Yuqing for creating opportunities to strengthen 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 connect them with opportunities in China.
Yuqing said China-Nigeria cooperation should extend beyond agriculture and cultural exchange to areas such as healthcare, new energy and vocational education.
“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 stressed that business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges remained important to strengthening relations between China and Nigeria.
She also pledged greater support for women’s capacity building and called for increased collaboration in the area.
Yuqing highlighted the consulate’s charity initiatives, including “Renew the Hope, Rebirth from the Light,” which supports cataract surgeries, and “Together Fight Against Hunger,” which provides food to low-income families.
She said the consulate planned to expand its charity programmes in 2027, with greater focus on women, children and young people.
