In a bid to strengthen agricultural output and boost food production for Nigeria’s most populated state, the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, has donated 100,000 hectares of land to Lagos State for the development of farming activities.
This announcement was made during the Agric and Export Expo 2025, sponsored by FirstBank Nigeria, which took place in Lagos.
Governor Bago explained that while Niger State would focus on agricultural production, Lagos will take the lead as the key market and logistics center. The partnership aims to establish the “Lagos Farm” initiative, which will be spread across various locations in Niger State. Key crops such as yams, beans, and livestock will be cultivated to supply the Lagos market.
The governor also highlighted the significant potential for exports, particularly to the Middle East.
He pointed out that the annual Hajj alone requires approximately five million sheep, each valued at 500 riyals, creating a market worth around 2.5 billion riyals in a single transaction. He noted that annual demand for livestock in the region could reach up to 30 million.
Bago stressed the importance of adding value to livestock products, including meat, hides, and other by-products, warning that countries focused on exporting raw materials often remain economically stagnant.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called on the private sector to collaborate with the government in diversifying the nation’s economy away from oil dependency.
He described the expo as an important platform to foster an agriculture-driven economy. With global oil price fluctuations, foreign exchange challenges, and increasing import costs, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need for Nigeria to expand its economic base.
The Governor also commended President Bola Tinubu’s policies, which, he said, have contributed to growth in non-oil exports.
According to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), non-oil exports saw a 19.59 percent increase in the first half of 2025, reaching $3.225 billion, compared to $2.696 billion during the same period in 2024.
Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial center, holds a unique responsibility in this transformation, the governor noted. He highlighted the successful completion of major infrastructure projects funded through a $1.35 billion partnership with Afreximbank and Access Bank, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Lekki-Epe International Airport.
“Additionally, Lagos State has launched a N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund to support food security and agricultural growth.”
