Lagos State is advocating for a unified national strategy to combat food scarcity, promote food security, and address Nigeria’s deepening food crisis.
Speaking at the BusinessDay Future of Agriculture Conference themed “Moving Nigeria from Scarcity to Food Security” on Thursday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, outlined a three-pillar strategy to ensure a sustainable food supply across the country.
With 31.8 million Nigerians facing food scarcity, Lagos—consuming 30% of the nation’s total food supply—proposes a strategic partnership among subnational governments, federal authorities, and the private sector.
The first pillar emphasizes subnational alliances through a proposed “Feed Nigeria Pact,” which seeks to align all regions in leveraging their agricultural strengths toward a collective food security strategy.
The second pillar calls for federal support in developing rural infrastructure to enhance agricultural productivity and market connectivity.
“We urge the federal government to prioritise development of rural infrastructure, which is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and connectivity,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
He also urged the government to introduce tax incentives for agro-processors, arguing that reducing operational costs would stimulate growth and ensure food affordability.
The third pillar stresses the role of private sector involvement, particularly through agri-tech innovation and logistics, to modernize farming and the supply chain.
This approach aims to boost crop yields, minimize waste, and create new entrepreneurial opportunities, ensuring that “food reaches all tables across Nigeria.”
