LAGOS, Nigeria – In a bold move to address Nigeria’s food security challenges and stimulate national agricultural growth, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday launched the Produce for Lagos Programme alongside a ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund.
The initiative, unveiled at the Lagos House in Ikeja, is designed to enhance food production, reduce post-harvest losses, and secure supply chains by offering guaranteed offtake contracts, access to financing, and improved logistics to stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised that Lagos, with a food economy valued at ₦16.14 trillion, remains Nigeria’s largest consumer market—accounting for over 50% of food traded in the South-West.
“This programme is not just for Lagos; it is a national call to action,” the Governor declared.
“The ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund will serve as working capital for bulk traders, finance logistics operators, support aggregators, and provide credit for food producers across Nigeria. It is not a subsidy, but a catalytic investment vehicle.”
Sanwo-Olu added that the initiative will be driven through the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company (LAFSINCO), supported by Special Purpose Vehicles such as the Lagos Bulk Trading Company, Ekolog (Eko Logistics), and the Produce for Lagos Fund.
As part of the logistics framework, the Governor also commissioned a fleet of 150 cold and dry trucks, the largest of its kind in Nigeria, developed in collaboration with private sector partners.
From left: Governors, Dr. Agbu Kefas (Taraba); Farmer Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger); chief host, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi) and Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) during a fireside chat with the governors at the official launch of the Produce for Lagos Program and ₦500 Billion Offtake GuaranteeFund, held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
“We are building a new agricultural ecosystem that meets today’s demands and anticipates tomorrow’s needs. This effort combines policy, financing, infrastructure, and data,” he said.
National Collaboration and Support
The launch drew participation and endorsements from across Nigeria’s political and institutional leadership. Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Usman Ododo (Kogi) applauded the initiative, affirming their states’ readiness to supply agricultural produce and leverage their comparative advantages in partnership with Lagos.
Federal ministers including Bosun Tijani (Digital Economy), Idi Maiha (Livestock), and Doris Aniete (State for Finance) praised the programme’s ambition, describing it as a model for inter-state collaboration and national food resilience.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also expressed support, pledging the Armed Forces’ readiness to assist in logistics and security, particularly in volatile agricultural zones.
A Centralised Agricultural Framework
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the programme’s goal of streamlining aggregation and distribution systems.“With this initiative, we aim to reduce post-harvest losses, stabilise food prices, and create a robust urban supply chain,” she said.
She noted that the state has rolled out various complementary programmes such as the Lagos Innovation Club, Food Festival, Agriculture Scholars Programme, and Apprenticeship Programme, all designed to nurture agribusiness and promote food entrepreneurship.
Prince S. J. Samuel, Chairman of Origin Tech Group, reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to partnering with Lagos State and called for increased collaboration to scale food infrastructure across Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded with a rallying call to all stakeholders:
“Let us rise together to feed this nation sustainably. This is more than a programme—it is a blueprint for Nigeria’s food future.”
