The Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu today launched the Produce for Lagos programme, an initiative to boost food security and agricultural self-reliance in Lagos, and Nigeria at large. TheMediaGood Newspaper can report that the initiative was launched alongside a NG₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund to grow the agricultural sector in a real, lasting way. The event was held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Governor noted: ‘Lagos is the biggest food market in Nigeria. We consume more than half of the food traded in the South-West, and our food economy is worth over ₦16 trillion. That’s huge, and it tells us two things: the demand is there, and the opportunity to build a strong, local supply chain is there too.’
‘What this programme does is simple. It connects our farmers and producers directly to the Lagos market. We are offering guaranteed offtake, easier access to finance, and real support with logistics. It is about growing food, creating jobs, cutting waste, and helping more people earn a living from agriculture.’
He added: ‘We’re not doing this alone. This is a partnership between the government and the private sector. It is being implemented through the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company, with support from Lagos Bulk Trading Company, Ekolog, and the Produce for Lagos Fund. And to back it all up, we have rolled out a fleet of 150 cold and dry trucks, the largest of its kind in the country, to make sure food gets where it needs to go, safely and efficiently.’
About the Offtake Guarantee Fund, the Governor stated: ‘The ₦500 billion fund is designed to attract private capital, lower risk, and provide real financing for traders, transporters, and farmers. Good policy is important, but we also know it takes actual funding and strong follow-through to make a real impact. So, I am inviting our partners, other state governments, investors, banks, development agencies, and everyone in the value chain to come on board.Let us work together to feed Lagos and build a food system that truly lasts.’
The Governor was joined by his counterparts from Ogun, Niger, Taraba, Kogi viz. Gov. Dapo Abiodun, Mohammed Bago, Agbu Kefas, and Usman Ododo at the launch.