Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to all state governors across Nigeria, banks, development organisations, foreign embassies, regulatory agencies, local and international partners, and big players in agriculture to support the state’s Produce for Lagos initiative.
He made this call during the official unveiling of the programme in Lagos, where he declared that food security is now a serious matter that requires urgent action. The event brought together top government officials, state governors, federal ministers, military chiefs, private sector leaders, and many farmers from across the country.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos is ready to work with everyone who has interest in farming and food production. He stressed that Lagos, with over 20 million residents, cannot feed itself alone and must partner with other states to produce enough food for its people.
His words: “Let us rise together to feed this nation sustainably. Let us collaborate across borders, build resilient infrastructure, support and secure our food future — not just for Lagos, but for Nigeria. Let us lead, let us inspire, and let us grow for the prosperity of our people and the greatness of our country.”
Four state governors — Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, and Usman Ododo of Kogi — who attended the event, praised Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State government for what they described as a bold and visionary step.
These governors said their states, which are rich in agricultural land and resources, are ready to partner with Lagos to supply farm produce and benefit from the N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, a major part of the programme designed to encourage large-scale farming.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha; and Minister of State for Finance, Doris Aniete, also gave their full support. They said the initiative reflects Lagos’ commitment to achieving food security and building strong relationships with other states.
In addition, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, described the programme as a timely move that could help address the hunger problem in the country. He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria is ready to support the programme by protecting farmlands and ensuring farmers can work in peace.
Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, explained that Produce for Lagos is not just about farming — it is about creating a system that reduces food waste, cuts down post-harvest losses, stabilises prices, and builds a strong food supply chain in urban areas.
Olusanya said Lagos has already set up different agriculture-related initiatives such as the Lagos Innovation Club, Lagos Food Festival, Lagos Agriculture Scholars Programme, and the Lagos Apprenticeship Programme, all aimed at supporting young people and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
Private sector players were also present at the event. The Chairman of Origin Tech Group, Prince S. J. Samuel, promised that the private sector will support Lagos State’s efforts to improve agriculture. He encouraged more partnerships between government and businesses to boost food production, not just in Lagos but across Nigeria.
Observers at the event noted that with this new strategy, Lagos is hoping to shift from just being a consumer state to becoming a major player in food distribution across Nigeria. The state’s population continues to grow rapidly, placing pressure on food availability and pricing.
The Produce for Lagos programme is expected to boost investment in agriculture, open up new job opportunities, reduce food inflation, and improve collaboration between the public and private sectors in Nigeria’s agricultural space.
Sanwo-Olu said the future of Nigeria’s food security depends on how well states work together now. He called on stakeholders from all sectors to see farming as a national duty and key to national development.
With rising inflation, insecurity in food-producing areas, and increasing global food prices, the Lagos State government said it cannot fold its hands while its citizens go hungry. The Produce for Lagos initiative is the latest effort to secure food for residents and stabilise food markets in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
