Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for stronger collaboration with food-producing states, private investors, development partners and research institutions to improve food supply, reduce waste and make food more affordable for residents.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, made the call on Friday at the grand finale of the 2026 World Food Day celebration in Ikeja, Lagos, held under the theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”.
The governor said Lagos could not achieve food security through its own agricultural production alone, making partnerships and innovation essential to meeting the needs of its growing population.
He urged stakeholders to adopt more efficient approaches to food production, processing and distribution, stressing that productivity and effective supply chains were as important as access to farmland.
‘’We cannot achieve food security by expanding farmland; we achieve it by producing more on the land we have.
‘’We also achieve it by sourcing efficiently from partner states, processing more of what we consume, and moving food from farm to household with less waste, ‘’ he said.
Sanwo-Olu said the state’s Five-Year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap was designed to raise local food self-sufficiency from about 20 per cent to 40 per cent of its total demand.
He identified investment in technology, skills development, affordable financing and market access as key to achieving the target, while calling for improved storage, processing, logistics and coordination to reduce post-harvest losses.
The governor also stressed that food policies must address affordability, nutrition and environmental sustainability together, adding that the effectiveness of government interventions should be judged by their long-term benefits to residents.
On infrastructure, he disclosed that work on the first phase of the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, had reached an advanced stage.
He added that mid-level agro-produce hubs at Abijo in Ibeju-Lekki and Dairy Farm in Agege had been commissioned, while projects at Opebi in Ikeja and Bombata on Lagos Island were under construction.
According to him, the facilities are intended to strengthen food distribution networks, minimise wastage and improve access to fresh produce at competitive prices.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the state’s Produce for Lagos initiative, which connects participating farmers with structured offtake arrangements at agreed prices, backed by a N500 billion Guarantee Offtake Fund.
He said the scheme was designed to improve market access for farmers, reduce the number of intermediaries in the supply chain and ensure a more reliable flow of agricultural produce to consumers.
Describing the event as the final World Food Day celebration of his administration, the governor commended farmers for their contributions to food production and distribution in the state.
“You have not merely been beneficiaries of our programmes. You have been our partners, and you stayed with us even when the journey was difficult.
“My tenure will end, but the importance of the farmer must never diminish, and our commitment to food security must outlive any administration,” he said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Oluwarotimi Fashola, described food security as fundamental to national stability.
‘’A nation unable to feed itself risks social insecurity, ‘’ he said.
Fashola encouraged residents to buy produce from local farmers, noting that supporting domestic agricultural producers was important to building a sustainable food system.
The celebration featured a march-past by farmers’ associations, food groups and cooperative societies from local government areas across Lagos State, with participants displaying agricultural produce and related products.
