Lagos Food Systems Hub to boost N14trn market — Commissioner

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, on Tuesday revealed that the state is completing a Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in the Epe area to strengthen the state’s N14 trillion food market.

Speaking at the ministerial press briefing marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term mid-point, Olusanya said the hub will service over 1,500 trucks daily and transform the state’s food distribution system.

“The Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub represents a flagship project by the Lagos State government to modernize and secure the food distribution ecosystem,” Olusanya said. “It will be the largest food logistics hub in Sub-Saharan Africa, featuring data-driven and technologically integrated systems for food aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution.”

She noted that the first phase is expected to be completed in a few months, bringing with it significant reductions in food prices through integrated facilities like cold and dry storage, a 14,000-capacity abattoir, and a jetty for seamless transportation.

Structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, the project spans 400 hectares, with the first phase covering 100 hectares. Once operational, the hub will handle over 1.5 million metric tonnes of food annually.

Olusanya said the project will generate over five million income opportunities across the agriculture and logistics value chain and provide food security for over 10 million Lagos residents for at least 90 days during emergencies or supply disruptions.

She also highlighted the hub’s role as a model for replication across Nigeria and West Africa. “It will serve as a foundation for the development of satellite food hubs across the 57 local government and council development areas in Lagos.”

Currently, Lagos operates a Mid-Level Agro Hub at Idi-Oro, Mushin, where food valued at over N2.6 billion has been traded. Additional hubs are planned for Ikorodu, FESTAC Town, and Lekki Phase 1, she added.