Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday took part in cooking and tasting seafood rice with stir-fried spinach at the 2025 Lagos Food Festival, describing the event as a platform that has empowered numerous entrepreneurs and promoted the state’s rich culinary heritage.
The festival, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems and themed “Taste Beyond Borders,” was held at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island. Residents were treated to a blend of music, entertainment and a wide variety of local and international delicacies that reflected Lagos’ diverse food culture.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos Food Festival was designed to bring families together, create avenues for relaxation and showcase food as a powerful tool for telling the Lagos story. He noted that, over the past six years, the state government has empowered many entrepreneurs in the agriculture and food sector through targeted interventions.
“The Lagos Food Festival is one of the many impactful initiatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems. The ministry has implemented several activations and interventions in the agriculture and food security space, empowering innovators in the food business and giving them opportunities to thrive as entrepreneurs,” the governor said.
He added that beyond entrepreneurship, the festival provides an avenue for families to enjoy themselves while experiencing the exhibition of different food cultures across Lagos. “I cooked seafood rice with stir-fried spinach and tasted my own cooking. The festival is about encouraging people in the catering and food space and using food to tell the Lagos story,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also attended an art exhibition on Sunday, where about 40 artists created paintings on walls, which he described as a celebration of the creativity that defines Lagos. He stressed the need to continuously encourage skills development across different professions to ensure Lagos remains a safe and inclusive home for all.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the Lagos Food Festival celebrates the values, culture and diversity that define the state. She described food as the embodiment of Lagos’ multicultural identity and noted that the ministry remains the custodian of the state’s food ecosystem.
“The Lagos Food Festival is a celebration of everything that makes Lagos unique — its culinary culture, traditions, entertainment and diversity. It also provides exposure for food value chain actors, many of whom have gained prominence through this platform,” she said.
Olusanya added that the festival serves as an avenue for the ministry to consolidate its interventions over the years and recognise everyone involved in ensuring food security in the state.
The event attracted members of the State Executive Council and House of Assembly, current and former public office holders, political and traditional leaders, celebrity chefs, youths, vendors and students from tertiary institutions across Lagos State. Several participants showcased their culinary skills and won prizes at the festival.
