Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has pledged his administration’s full support for the “Produce for Lagos” programme, describing the initiative as a transformational milestone in inter-state collaboration, food security, and economic integration.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme on Wednesday, Governor Ododo commended his Lagos counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for extending the invitation to Kogi State to be part of what he called a “structured partnership with national impact.” He emphasized that the synergy between the two states guarantees not just food supply but market assurance and long-term prosperity for farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
Highlighting the historic connection between the two states, Governor Ododo noted that many Kogi indigenes have lived and thrived in Lagos, contributing to the state’s development across sectors. “Today, we are elevating that legacy by building a partnership that works not just for two states, but for the entire nation,” he said.
He described the “Produce for Lagos” programme as a timely solution to align food production with market demand, adding that it is a strategic response to national food insecurity. “Kogi produces food, Lagos consumes food. When we work together, we create food security, market stability, and inclusive growth,” Ododo said.
The Governor revealed that agriculture is a top priority in his administration, with thousands of hectares of farmland already prepared, mechanization underway, and over 10,000 farmers receiving grants to scale production.
He noted that Kogi leads Nigeria in cassava production and is among the top producers of yam, maize, and cereals, while also making significant investments in ginger one of the world’s most commercially viable crops.
To support farmers, Governor Ododo stated that Kogi has revitalized agricultural extension services, improved access to inputs, and enhanced rural infrastructure, including healthcare, education, electrification, and road networks.
“What this partnership with Lagos achieves is market assurance. Our farmers can now produce with confidence, knowing there is a reliable offtake system in place,” he said.
Ododo also praised President Bola Tinubu’s Greener Hope Agricultural Productivity Programme, noting that with $1 billion already committed, agriculture has become “the new oil.” He affirmed Kogi State’s alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing the importance of national unity through shared prosperity.
On his part, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that the “Produce for Lagos” programme and its ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund are vital to ensuring food security in Nigeria’s largest urban economy.
He revealed that Lagos consumes over 50% of food traded in the Southwest, with a food economy now valued at ₦16.14 trillion annually up from ₦6.5 trillion just a few years ago.
He identified post-harvest losses, inefficient logistics, and weak storage infrastructure as key challenges, which the new programme aims to address.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the programme builds on the Lagos State Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap launched in 2021, and is aligned with President Tinubu’s national policy on agriculture.
According to him, the Lagos State agriculture budget has grown from ₦4.2 billion in 2018 to nearly ₦80 billion in 2024, the highest in its history. “Food is economic infrastructure,” he stressed, listing projects like the Epe Food Hub, Ounje Eko Markets, and the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme as proof of the state’s evolving food systems strategy.
He expressed optimism that the Produce for Lagos programme will deliver guaranteed offtake contracts, access to financing, coordinated logistics, and job creation ultimately reducing dependency on informal supply chains and increasing returns across the food ecosystem.
The event also drew the attendance of Governors from Ogun, Niger, and Taraba States, with official representatives from Jigawa and Kwara States, all of whom expressed commitment to building a sustainable national food supply chain anchored on reliable inter-state partnerships.
Governor Ododo concluded with an assurance that Kogi’s participation will not remain on paper but will translate into tangible outcomes for farmers, traders, and families across the region.
