The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to transform agriculture into a multi-trillion-naira economic sector, unveiling major infrastructure and market reforms aimed at strengthening the state's N16.14 trillion food economy.
Strategic Shift to Food Systems Economy
Speaking at the 2026 ministerial press briefing on Friday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the state is shifting from fragmented agricultural interventions to a coordinated food systems economy driven by infrastructure, logistics, technology, and private-sector investment.
Olusanya stated that the strategy goes beyond food production to include storage, transportation, processing, distribution, and market access, with the goal of positioning Lagos as Africa's leading food systems hub.
Massive Economic Potential
According to her, Lagos remains Nigeria's largest food market, with an estimated annual food economy of N16.14 trillion, presenting vast opportunities for investors, farmers, logistics operators, and agribusinesses.
She disclosed that the Lagos Central Food Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe is expected to become the largest food logistics hub in Sub-Saharan Africa upon completion. The facility is designed to handle over 1,500 trucks daily and support the storage, processing, aggregation, and distribution of more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of food annually.
Key Infrastructure Projects
“The first phase of the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub is scheduled for commissioning this year,” she said, adding that it would mark a major turning point in the state's food systems transformation.
Olusanya explained that the hub will feature cold and dry storage facilities, processing centres, quality control laboratories, warehousing systems, digital trading platforms, and truck parks aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and stabilising food prices.
Support for Farmers and Investors
The state has also launched the Produce for Lagos initiative and a N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund to support farmers, aggregators, logistics operators, and investors by creating a structured market for agricultural produce. The fund is designed to de-risk agricultural investment and boost confidence across the value chain.
The commissioner noted that Lagos has continued to expand agricultural infrastructure through projects such as the Imota Rice Mill, agro-produce hubs, and the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence. The Imota Rice Mill—described as the largest in Africa and the third largest globally—produced over 500,000 bags of Eko Rice within the review period. Hundreds of hectares of rice fields have been cultivated across the state to support paddy supply for the mill.
Job Creation and Training
On job creation, Olusanya said thousands of youths, farmers, and agribusiness operators have been trained under programmes such as the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme, Lagos Agric Scholars Programme, and Lagos Agrinnovation Club. Over 66,000 beneficiaries have received support through various agricultural initiatives between May 2025 and date.
The government is actively encouraging private-sector participation in aquaculture, logistics, cold-chain systems, greenhouse farming, food retail, processing, and digital agriculture.
“We are not implementing isolated agricultural projects,” Olusanya said. “We are building a complete food systems architecture that will strengthen food security, create jobs, attract investment, and position Lagos as Nigeria's food systems powerhouse.”
