The Lagos State Government has reiterated its dedication to strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as a core strategy for transforming the agriculture and livestock sectors.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, explained that the initiative is designed to boost market access, reinforce agri-food supply chains, empower youth-driven agribusinesses, and promote community-based agricultural ventures.
She noted that recent partnership agreements have focused on enhancing value chains, advancing sustainable livestock production, developing the rice subsector, and expanding private investment across agribusiness and rural livelihoods.
According to her, the PPP model remains instrumental in fostering innovation, attracting investments, and improving service delivery across the agricultural landscape. “Through these collaborations, we are creating a more inclusive, resilient, and commercially vibrant agricultural sector that supports both farmers and communities,” she said.
Ms. Olusanya further highlighted the government’s appreciation of the private sector, youth entrepreneurs, and various organisations as vital contributors to agricultural progress. She reaffirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to encourage partnership-driven approaches across all agricultural sub-sectors while sustaining a policy environment that enables private sector participation.
Emphasising the state’s consistent collaboration with private investors, she remarked that Lagos has been providing the infrastructure while private partners channel investments into crop and livestock production. This shared responsibility, she said, has remained the foundation of the sector’s ongoing expansion.
Through this strategy, the state has launched several flagship programmes to tackle key challenges along the agri-food value chain, from production and processing to distribution and consumption.
At the heart of these initiatives lies the Food Systems Transformation Agenda, which Ms. Olusanya described as a “three-tiered agro-marketing framework” comprising the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe, Mid-Level Agro-Produce Hubs, and Last-Mile Food Distribution Outlets.
“This Agenda serves as our master plan to revamp the entire food value chain, making food more affordable, cutting down post-harvest losses, and generating employment opportunities,” she explained.
She added that construction work is already in progress across various hubs. The Phase 1 Central Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, is nearing completion, while the Mid-Level Hubs at Abijo (Ibeju-Lekki) and Dairy Farm (Agege) are expected to be operational before the year ends.
Ms. Olusanya also disclosed that additional food hubs are currently under construction in Opebi and Bombata, with new sites in Ikorodu, Lekki, and Festac earmarked for future development.
To further enhance food production, she explained that the state government introduced the “Produce for Lagos” initiative to secure consistent food supplies from both local and interstate producers. “Lagos is Nigeria’s largest consumer of food. Through structured off-take agreements and the ₦500 billion Guarantee Offtake Fund, we’re ensuring that farmers can produce confidently without worrying about unstable market prices,” she said.
Ms. Olusanya also highlighted improvements at the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota, which has been optimized to meet growing consumer demand. With an annual production capacity of 2.5 million 50kg bags of high-quality rice, the mill has empowered more than 500 rice farmers, created 2,000 jobs, and expanded paddy cultivation to over 1,500 hectares.
She further mentioned the Eko Agro Mechanization Programme (EKO AGROMECS) as part of the state’s digital transformation of agriculture. The platform, which operates like ride-hailing apps, connects smallholder farmers to on-demand farm machinery. “So far, over 3,000 hectares have been cultivated and more than 500 farmers have benefited directly from the service,” she noted.
Youth empowerment, according to Ms. Olusanya, remains central to the state’s agricultural strategy. Through the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), over 4,400 young people and women have been trained, while 2,000 have received tools, inputs, and startup support to establish their own agribusiness ventures. “We go beyond training, we’re giving them access to land, funding, and mentorship, making agriculture an attractive and profitable career path for our youth,” she said.
At the secondary school level, the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme (LASP) is reshaping students’ perception of agriculture by introducing them to innovative methods such as hydroponics and aquaponics through Smart Agri Pyramid Systems (SAPs). With 12 demonstration centres already operational across public and private schools, including correctional facilities.
Ms. Olusanya said the programme is “grooming a new generation of environmentally aware agri-scientists.”
On livestock development, she revealed that the government is tackling protein demand and animal health challenges through a 750-hectare Cattle Feedlot Project in Igbodu, Epe. Designed to produce over 100,000 cattle annually under safe and hygienic conditions, the project prioritises food safety, traceability, and modern meat production practices.
Similarly, fish farming is receiving a major boost with the establishment of the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE),a public-private initiative launched in May 2025 at Igbonla, Epe. The facility is expected to generate 50 million fingerlings, 2,000 tonnes of table fish, 20,000 tonnes of processed fish, and 24,000 tonnes of aquafeed each year.
Reaffirming the state’s unwavering commitment to sustainable agricultural development, Ms. Olusanya stated that Public-Private Partnerships remain the cornerstone of Lagos’ food systems strategy. “Our vision is to make Lagos a model for agricultural transformation in Nigeria, one that is inclusive, technology-driven, and future-ready,” she concluded.
