Lagos State is charting a bold new path toward food sufficiency, agricultural modernization, and economic resilience.
This was the focus of a ministerial press briefing held on Tuesday, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, where the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the state’s sweeping reforms and accomplishments in the agricultural sector over the past six years.
Speaking to members of the press, she outlined how strategic initiatives, innovative infrastructure, and targeted social support programs have positioned Lagos as a model for food systems transformation across Nigeria and West Africa.
“Our vision has always been clear—to create a resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven food system for Lagos,” said Ms. Olusanya. “We are not only feeding our people, but also creating jobs, building infrastructure, and empowering a new generation of agripreneurs.”
According to her, the transformative journey of the Ministry under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been anchored on a four-pillar strategy: boosting domestic food production, fostering partnerships with other states, improving storage and logistics infrastructure, and modernizing market systems.
Among the Ministry’s most significant achievements is the commissioning of the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota—the largest in Africa and the third largest globally. With the capacity to produce 2.4 million 50kg bags of rice annually, it is expected to generate 1,500 direct and 254,000 indirect jobs.
“This mill is a symbol of our determination to reduce our dependence on imported food and create local value chains that benefit our people,” Olusanya noted.
Another flagship initiative is the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe, poised to become the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The hub will not only transform food distribution with high-capacity facilities for storage, processing, and logistics, but is projected to slash food prices and ensure food availability during crises.
“When completed, the hub will serve as the heartbeat of our food supply chain, ensuring that food moves from farm to table efficiently, safely, and affordably,” she said.
The Ministry has also recorded tremendous impact in training and empowering over 100,500 farmers and fishermen, constructing rural infrastructure, and supporting over 151,000 agribusinesses through various financing and subsidy schemes like the Ounje Eko Farmer Subsidy Programme, LAP, LCARES, and APPEALS.
“We’re not just talking about large-scale commercial farms,” she added. “Our programs are designed to uplift everyone from the smallholder farmer in Badagry to the fish processor in Epe.”
In line with the Governor’s commitment to youth empowerment, initiatives like the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP) and Agrinnovation Club have equipped thousands of young Lagosians with modern agricultural skills, while the Lagos Agric Scholars School Farms programme has introduced agriculture into secondary school curricula.
“Our goal is to change the perception of agriculture,” Olusanya said. “We want young people to see it as a viable and rewarding career path.”
Through Public-Private Partnerships, the state has attracted significant investment, such as the Lagos Aquaculture Centre for Excellence (LACE), which will produce 50 million fingerlings and 20,000 tonnes of processed fish annually, supporting 5,000 fish farmers and creating jobs.
Efforts to expand market access include the development of fresh food hubs, mobile Red Meat Last Mile shops, and mid-level produce hubs in Mushin and other locations, easing access to quality, affordable food.
“Food systems don’t end at the farm,” she emphasized. “We are investing in the entire value chain—from production to processing, logistics to retail.”
Social impact initiatives have reached wide demographics—over 800,000 households have benefited from food subsidy programs, and more than 1.2 million households have received food bank support. The Urban Farming Program empowers residents—especially women—with the tools and knowledge to grow household poultry, vegetables, and snails.
“These interventions are lifelines for families, especially in challenging times,” she said. “We are ensuring that no Lagosian goes to bed hungry.”
Ms. Olusanya emphasized that these milestones are not only geared towards ensuring food security but also towards creating inclusive, youth-driven, and tech-enabled agricultural systems. With a five-year agricultural roadmap and forward-looking policies already in place, Lagos State remains committed to pioneering innovative models for food systems transformation.
“As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure that no Lagosian is left behind in our journey toward sustainable food systems and economic prosperity,” she concluded.