“We’ll raise food sufficiency to 40%” — Sanwo-Olu unveils Lagos supply plan

The Lagos State Government has set a target of doubling its food self-sufficiency level from about 20 per cent to 40 per cent, with increased agricultural production, food processing and improved distribution infrastructure at the centre of the plan.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this through his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, during the 2026 Eko World Food Day celebration in Ikeja.

Mr Hamzat said the state’s five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap was designed to increase local food production while strengthening supply chains, reducing waste and making food more affordable for residents.

He said Lagos, with its limited landmass and growing population, could not achieve food security simply by expanding farmland.

“We cannot achieve food security by expanding farmland; we achieve it by producing more on the land we have,” Mr Hamzat said.

According to the state government, the roadmap focuses on infrastructure and markets, production and processing, human capital development, innovation and farmer support.

A central food security and logistics hub is being developed at Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, while mid-level agro-produce hubs and last-mile distribution networks are planned to improve the movement of food from farms to consumers.

The first phase of the central hub is reportedly at an advanced stage, while hubs at Abijo in Ibeju-Lekki and Dairy Farm in Agege have already been commissioned.

Construction is also ongoing at Opebi in Ikeja and Bombata on Lagos Island.

The infrastructure is expected to reduce the number of intermediaries in the food supply chain, cut post-harvest losses and improve the efficiency of food distribution across the state.

Government strengthens farmer support

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said the state was treating agriculture as an interconnected system involving farmers, processors, traders, logistics operators, financial institutions and consumers.

She said government investments had covered agricultural training, mechanisation, processing, livestock development, aquaculture and food distribution.

The state also renewed its partnership with the BATN Foundation to improve farmers’ livelihoods and strengthen the agricultural value chain.

The foundation said its partnership with the Lagos Government had improved the livelihoods of more than 4,000 smallholder farmers since 2019 and engaged over 10,000 shoppers.

BATN foundation invests over N5bn

Speaking at the event, BATN Foundation Board Director, Ruth Owojaiye, said the partnership demonstrated how collaboration could create economic opportunities for farmers and agripreneurs while strengthening connections across the food value chain.

Mrs Owojaiye disclosed that the foundation had invested more than N5bn in empowerment initiatives and reached over 1.9 million beneficiaries through programmes including agricultural training, input support and improved access to water.

She called for continued investment in women, young people, rural communities and smallholder farmers, particularly in access to knowledge, resources, technology and partnerships.

The Lagos Government said its food security strategy would ultimately depend on its ability to increase productivity, strengthen processing and distribution systems and ensure that food moves efficiently from farms to markets.