By Abdullahi Lukman
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to launch a N500 billion agricultural initiative, “Produce for Lagos,” aimed at tackling food insecurity and improving access to affordable, nutritious food across the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the programme’s official launch on Wednesday.
She described the project as a large-scale off-taker initiative designed to strengthen the state’s food supply chain through interstate partnerships and private sector investment.
According to Olusanya, the programme will be anchored on collaboration between Lagos State and food-producing states across Nigeria.
The focus is to shift from production-only interventions to a holistic food system that includes logistics, distribution, and marketing.
She explained that “Produce for Lagos” aims to reduce post-harvest losses, curb food inflation, and lessen health-related issues caused by poor nutrition and food shortages.
The initiative will also include the launch of an Optical Guarantee Fund to support agribusiness financing and de-risk investment in the food value chain.
The commissioner added that the goal is for Lagos to produce at least 40% of its food needs locally, while leveraging partnerships with other states to bridge the remaining gap.
These interstate collaborations are expected to ensure long-term food security not just for Lagos, but also boost trade across the country.
Olusanya stressed the need for expanded access to farmland and investment in infrastructure to ensure food supply meets the demand of Lagos’ growing population.
She noted that the new programme represents a shift in strategy—from focusing solely on production to supporting end-to-end food systems.
The initiative is being driven under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and is expected to position Lagos as a model for sustainable, market-driven agricultural development in Nigeria.
