Lagos launches coconut project to create 200,000 jobs

The Lagos State Government has announced that its new coconut project will create at least 200,000 job opportunities for the youth.

This was disclosed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy visit by Mr. Dominique Koffy, the Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government,  Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, emphasised the diverse uses of coconut, from food products like bread and garri to environmental benefits such as climate change mitigation.

“The coconut project will provide nothing less than 200,000 job opportunities for our youth, which is a significant achievement for us,” she said.

Salu-Hundeyin highlighted the collaboration between the state government and the FAO to leverage the state’s abundant coconut resources for food production and employment creation.

“We are blessed to have this tree that God has given us free of charge. We aim to improve on it to feed our people in Lagos State, employ our youth, and promote healthy and affordable food products,” she stated.

She noted that the governor has made all necessary provisions, including counterpart funding, to kickstart the project, which is expected to benefit not only Lagos State but Nigeria and West Africa at large.

“Mr. Governor has made all provisions, even our counterpart funding is ready. Everything to start this project is ready because we know that it is a project that the citizenry of Lagos State, Nigeria as a whole, and West Africa will benefit from,” she said.

Koffy expressed the FAO’s readiness to support the coconut value chain development in Lagos, which would foster employment and productivity.

He commended both the Federal and Lagos State Governments for their collaborative spirit and added that the FAO and Lagos State Government would also work on developing cattle feedlots to boost youth productivity and export opportunities.