The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to launch a ₦500 billion agricultural programme tagged “Produce for Lagos,”
The initiative according to the government is aimed at addressing food insecurity through long-term availability, affordability, and sustainability.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the State Secretariat, Alausa, ahead of the launch of the programme on Wednesday July 23, 2025, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya said that the initiative is an intervention to transform Lagos’ food ecosystem through public-private partnerships engagement.
Olusanya said that the programme would focus on private sector investment, bulk aggregation towards reducing costs, streamlining food value chains as well as reducing post-harvest losses.
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She added that the initiative is in collaboration with some states and the private sector would not only promote urban agriculture but also establish food supply partnerships with other states to compensate for Lagos’ land limitations.
“The programme targets robust inter-state collaboration and private sector involvement as essential to achieving food resilience and market stability in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
“We need states like Niger, which has the largest arable land in the country, as well as Kebbi. We want to have a continuous food supply. The partnership will dovetail to all the agricultural food chains. By bridging the gap between supply and demand, the initiative promises to usher in smarter logistics, inclusive economic growth, and a more resilient food value chain.” she said.
Produce for Lagos
The Commissioner mentioned that the state has been working on different approaches to ensure food sufficiency for the past six years through Produce in Lagos and Produce for Lagos Initiatives.
According to her ‘Produce for Lagos’ is being positioned as a model for public-private partnerships in addressing systemic food challenges and driving sustainable development at scale.”
“It is about addressing logistics. Our goal is to continue to create jobs. We want food in-flow into the State. Though food is coming into Lagos but the system is flawed. We have a lot of loopholes in the system and so the investors cannot connect properly. The programme will not only streamline agricultural supply but also unlock investment opportunities, support rural farmers, and ensure Lagos residents have access to fresh and affordable produce.”
Impactful project
Although, official figures are yet to be released, but, thousands of stakeholders, including farmers, aggregators, distributors, and retailers are expected to benefit from the programme through coordinated efforts involving key ministries and private off-takers.
The commissioner stressed that the initiative was designed to create an efficient farm-to-market system, reduce waste, and make food more affordable for Lagosians.
The launch event on July 23 is expected to attract major players in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and mark a significant milestone in the state’s push toward food security and inclusive economic growth.