Lagos to launch ₦500bn ‘Produce for Lagos’ scheme to tackle food insecurity

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans for a ₦500 billion agricultural programme tagged “Produce for Lagos,” aimed at addressing food insecurity through long-term availability, affordability, and sustainability.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the official launch scheduled for Wednesday, July 23. She described the initiative as a bold intervention to transform Lagos’ food ecosystem via public-private partnerships.

According to her, the programme will focus on four key pillars: private sector investment to bridge infrastructure gaps, bulk aggregation to reduce costs, streamlined food value chains to minimize post-harvest losses, and improved nutritional outcomes.

Olusanya emphasized that the initiative would not only promote urban agriculture but also establish food supply partnerships with other states to compensate for Lagos’ land limitations. “We don’t want a repeat of past food shortages. This ensures food keeps flowing into Lagos in the right quantity, quality, and cost,” she said.

She added that the programme targets robust inter-state collaboration and private sector involvement as essential to achieving food resilience and market stability in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Though official figures are yet to be released, thousands of stakeholders — including farmers, aggregators, distributors, and retailers — are expected to benefit from the programme through coordinated efforts involving key ministries and private offtakers.

The commissioner stressed that the initiative was designed to create an efficient farm-to-market system, reduce waste, and make food more affordable for Lagosians.

The launch event on July 23 is expected to attract major players in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and mark a significant milestone in the state’s push toward food security and inclusive economic growth.