Lagos seeks private sector support for food security

Lagos seeks private sector support for food security

By Abdullahi Lukman

The Lagos State government has called for stronger collaboration with private sector stakeholders to address the challenges of food insecurity and ensure sustainable food systems across Nigeria.

This appeal was made by the State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, during the ‘Right to Food’ workshop held recently in Ikeja.

Represented by Mrs. Ranti Sagoe-Oviebo, the State Coordinator of the Agro-Processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project, Olusanya stressed the need for partnerships that align with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

She noted that reducing the high cost of food and minimizing post-harvest losses would require active private sector involvement.

According to her, private partnerships are essential to fast-tracking food provision efforts and improving food access for residents.

Olusanya also addressed concerns raised by participants regarding government accountability in food policy implementation.

She emphasized that the success of any government policy depends not only on institutional commitment but also on individual discipline.

“Is it the government that makes people adulterate food and drinks or unjustifiably hike food prices?” she queried.

She added that the Sanwo-Olu administration has made efforts to reduce the influence of middlemen in the food supply chain to lower consumer costs.

The workshop was organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) in collaboration with OXFAM and other civil society organisations.

In his keynote address, Dr. Michael David, Executive Director of GIFSEP, described the Right to Food Act—passed in 2023—as a landmark legislation.

He urged the government to ensure its full implementation so that it can deliver tangible improvements in food access and sustainability across the country.