Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday launched the Produce for Lagos programme and the N500 billion offtake guarantee fund, an initiative aimed at improving food supply, reducing imports and supporting agricultural production across the country.
Speaking at the launch held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the programme reflects the state’s commitment to achieving food security and economic development.
He noted that Lagos is the largest food market in Nigeria, accounting for over 50 percent of food traded in the South-West, with a food economy valued at N16.14 trillion.
The 60-year-old said the initiative, a public-private sector partnership, is expected to provide off-take contracts, financing and logistics support for stakeholders in the food supply chain.
He said it would also help address reliance on informal food distribution, create employment and increase earnings across the agricultural value chain.
As part of the programme, Sanwo-Olu also unveiled a fleet of 150 cold and dry trucks to support logistics and distribution.
The trucks were provided through a partnership with private sector operators.
According to the governor, the programme will be executed through the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company (LAFSINCO), with support from entities such as the Lagos Bulk Trading Company, Ekolog (Eko Logistics) and the Produce for Lagos Fund.
He explained that the N500 billion fund would serve as working capital for bulk traders, provide financing for logistics operators, liquidity for aggregators and credit support for food producers across the country.
“This fund is not a subsidy; it is an investment vehicle that will mobilise private capital, stabilise food prices, and reduce risks in the agricultural sector,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“We are combining policy, financing, infrastructure, and data to support food systems.”
He called on other state governors, financial institutions, multilateral organisations and private stakeholders to collaborate with Lagos to strengthen food production and supply.
Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Usman Ododo (Kogi), who attended the event, pledged support for the initiative.
They noted that their states, as key food producers, are positioned to benefit from the partnership.
Also in attendance were minister of digital economy Bosun Tijani, minister of livestock Idi Maiha and minister of state for finance Doris Aniete.
They commended Lagos for launching the programme and pledged federal government support.
Chief of defence staff General Christopher Musa said the Armed Forces of Nigeria are ready to support the programme, which he said aligns with national efforts to address food challenges.
Commissioner for agriculture and food systems, Abisola Olusanya, said the programme would centralise aggregation of food items, reduce post-harvest losses and improve pricing and logistics.
She listed ongoing state-led agricultural initiatives, including the Lagos Innovation Club, Lagos Food Festival, Lagos Agriculture Scholars programme and Lagos Apprenticeship programme, as complementary to the Produce for Lagos effort.
Chairman of Origin Tech Group, S. J. Samuel, pledged the private sector’s continued participation and encouraged further collaboration with the government to support food supply systems in Lagos and Nigeria.
