The Lagos government and China are set to enhance cooperation in agricultural technology transfer, research, production, and trade to transform agriculture.

Oluwarotimi Fashola, special adviser to 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 Yan Yuqing, China’s consul general.

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.

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.

He said that Lagos would also explore structured pathways for agricultural trade between the state and China.

Ms Yuqing said the Chinese consulate would support Nigerian businesses seeking to participate in the forthcoming Cultural Fair, scheduled for October 15 to November 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.

Ms 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 business, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges were important to strengthening relations between the two countries. She also expressed commitment to supporting women’s capacity building, saying that there was a need for greater collaboration.

(NAN)