Food security: Lagos set to inaugurate ₦500bn powerhouse initiative
From left, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr Emmanuel Audu during a News Conference on the Forthcoming Launch of Lagos 500 Billion Naira Product for Lagos Offtake Guarantee Fund and Programme in Lagos on Monday
• To connect market demand with production.
• Positioning Lagos as state with capacity of exporting to other states.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to reveal its ₦500 billion “Produce for Lagos” initiative on Wednesday, targeted at tackling food insecurity and ensuring sustainable access to affordable, nutritious food.
The landmark programme, revealed by Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, during a press briefing, seeks to strengthen the state’s food supply chain through inter-state partnerships and private sector collaboration.
The “Produce for Lagos” initiative, designed as a large-scale off-taker programme, prioritizes reorganizing Nigeria’s food system by linking market demand with production.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to resilient, sustainable food systems through strategic inter-state collaboration and private sector investment,” Olusanya stated.
She highlighted that while past interventions focused heavily on production, gaps in marketing, distribution, and logistics have hindered progress.
The programme aims to address these by minimizing post-harvest losses, which Olusanya noted will reduce food inflation and health risks from spoiled food, benefiting both consumers and the broader economy.
Olusanya emphasized the goal of achieving 40% self-sufficiency in food production within Lagos while fostering partnerships with other states to access more land and scale up commercial farming.
“We need a bigger pie to meet our people’s needs. Partnerships with farms and businesses in other states are crucial for our survival and theirs,” she said.
The initiative also positions Lagos to export food to other states, enhancing its role in Nigeria’s food ecosystem.
The programme, a collaboration between the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and private sector stakeholders, includes the launch of the Produce for Lagos Off-take and Guarantee Fund.
This fund will support producers by ensuring market access and reducing risks, paving the way for a more food-secure Lagos and a model for national food system reform.
