Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a major agricultural and economic initiative aimed at transforming the food supply landscape of Nigeria’s commercial capital. In an announcement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu introduced the ‘Produce for Lagos’ programme alongside a groundbreaking ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund.
This ambitious plan, the governor said, reflects a strategic push to make Lagos more food secure, more self-reliant, and better positioned to grow its agricultural sector in a sustainable, lasting way.
“Lagos is the biggest food market in Nigeria,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “We consume more than half of the food traded in the South-West, and our native food economy is worth over ₦16 trillion. The demand is there, and so is the opportunity to build a strong, local supply chain.”
The ‘Produce for Lagos’ programme seeks to connect farmers and food producers directly with the Lagos consumer market. By offering guaranteed offtake, easier access to finance, and robust logistics support, the initiative will boost local production, reduce waste, and create more jobs within the agricultural sector.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, this initiative is not a government-only effort. It is a public-private partnership, being executed through the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company, with support from Lagos Bulk Trading Company, Ekolog, and the Produce for Lagos Fund.
“We are matching good policy with real funding and serious infrastructure,” Sanwo-Olu said. “That’s how you make lasting change.”
A central feature of the programme is the deployment of a fleet of 150 cold and dry trucks, the largest of its kind in Nigeria, to ensure that food reaches markets and consumers safely and efficiently, minimizing spoilage and post-harvest losses.
The ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund is designed to attract private capital, reduce risk, and provide meaningful financing to traders, transporters, and farmers. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that good intentions are not enough, and that impactful change requires real money and effective execution.
In his announcement, the governor extended an invitation to investors, state governments, banks, development partners, and all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to partner with Lagos in building a resilient food system.
“Let’s work together to feed Lagos and build a food system that truly lasts,” he urged.
As Lagos grapples with rising food costs, population growth, and increasing pressure on food supply systems, the ‘Produce for Lagos’ programme marks a pivotal shift in policy and strategy. Analysts say the initiative, if effectively implemented, could redefine urban agriculture in Nigeria, empower rural producers, and serve as a model for other states across the federation.
With the right collaborations and community engagement, the state appears poised to make bold strides in food security, job creation, and agricultural resilience — all anchored in the bustling food economy of Lagos.
Credit: @jidesanwoolu via x.com.
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