The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the State’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s food ecosystem through large-scale investments, system reforms, and strategic partnerships, as he addressed stakeholders at the 11th Agrofood Nigeria Exhibition & Conference held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island.
Speaking at the international gathering of agribusiness leaders, technology providers, and investors, the Governor said Nigeria possesses the natural and human capacity to become a global food powerhouse, but continues to suffer major losses due to poor post-harvest systems. He noted that the country loses between ₦3.5 trillion and ₦5 trillion worth of food annually, largely to inadequate storage and logistics.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted Lagos’ strategic position as Africa’s largest food consumption market, with the State’s food economy more than doubling from ₦6.5 trillion in 2019 to over ₦16 trillion in 2026. He described Lagos as the continent’s most structured and commercially attractive destination for agro-processing, cold chain development, packaging, and food technology investment.
Addressing the systemic challenges, the Governor outlined bold initiatives including the construction of the Lagos Central Food Security and Logistics Hub in Epe, which he described as one of Africa’s most ambitious food logistics projects. Complementing this, is a network of agro-produce hubs and last-mile outlets designed to fast-track the movement of produce, reduce waste, and stabilise prices.
He further stated that the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, a market-shaping mechanism that derisks agriculture, will stimulate bank financing, and link farmers directly to Lagos’ massive and predictable demand.
“We have chosen to stop managing the problem and start fixing the system at scale,” Sanwo-Olu declared.
He said, “Lagos is investing in cold trucks, processing equipment, youth agripreneurship, aquaculture, livestock, and value-addition projects so that what leaves the farm arrives as wealth, not waste.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu called on exhibitors, investors, technology providers, and international development partners to join Lagos as long-term collaborators. He emphasised that the State is not seeking pilot demonstrations but durable, market-ready solutions capable of transforming Nigeria’s food economy.
“The future of food security will not be shaped by speeches but by cold rooms that stay powered, trucks that move produce without spoilage, and processing plants that turn raw harvest into export-grade products,” he said.
He reaffirmed the State’s readiness to work with partners to reduce waste, create jobs, improve food access, and position Nigeria firmly on the global food map.
