As Nigeria grapples with rising post-harvest losses, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for international partnerships to scale sustainable food systems.
The governor made the call at the 11th Agrofood Nigeria Exhibition & Conference held at the Landmark Event Centre, where he addressed stakeholders across the global agribusiness value chain.
Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria has the natural and human capacity to become a global food powerhouse but continues to incur heavy losses due to weak post-harvest systems.
He noted that the country loses between ₦3.5 trillion and ₦5 trillion worth of food annually, largely due to poor storage, inefficient logistics, and inadequate processing capacity.
“Nigeria has what it takes to feed itself and compete globally, but we must confront the systemic inefficiencies that lead to massive losses after harvest,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as Africa’s largest food consumption market and a strategic destination for agro-processing and food systems investment, noting that the state’s food economy has grown significantly in recent years.
“Lagos is not just a consumption hub; it is fast becoming the most structured and commercially viable destination for investments in agro-processing, cold chain systems, packaging, and food technology,” he stated.
Outlining ongoing reforms, the governor highlighted the development of the Lagos Central Food Security and Logistics Hub in Epe, describing it as one of Africa’s most ambitious food logistics projects.
“We have chosen to stop managing the problem and start fixing the system at scale,” he declared.
According to him, the hub, alongside a network of agro-produce aggregation centres and last-mile delivery outlets, is designed to improve market access, reduce waste, and stabilise food prices across the state.
Sanwo-Olu also referenced the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, describing it as a market-shaping initiative aimed at de-risking agriculture, unlocking financing, and linking producers directly to Lagos’ large and predictable demand base.
“This is about creating certainty for farmers, confidence for financiers, and efficiency across the value chain,” he said.
He emphasised that the state is making targeted investments in cold chain infrastructure, transportation, processing, and youth-driven agribusiness.
“Lagos is investing in cold trucks, processing equipment, youth agripreneurship, aquaculture, livestock, and value-addition projects so that what leaves the farm arrives as wealth, not waste,” he said.
Calling for deeper collaboration, the governor urged investors, technology providers, and development partners to align with Lagos on long-term, scalable solutions.
“We are not looking for pilot projects or short-term interventions. We are seeking durable, market-ready solutions that can transform Nigeria’s food economy at scale,” he said.
He added that practical infrastructure and efficient systems—not rhetoric—would define the future of food security.
“The future of food security will not be shaped by speeches but by cold rooms that stay powered, trucks that move produce without spoilage, and processing plants that turn raw harvest into export-grade products,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos State’s readiness to collaborate with global partners to reduce food losses, create jobs, improve access to affordable food, and position Nigeria as a major player in the global food market.
