The Lagos State government is strengthening its agricultural database to improve food security and meet the needs of its rapidly growing population. According to Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, the database will help the government understand what farmers require to produce efficiently and determine the volume and types of food commodities needed by the state.
The evolving database will support efforts to build a more productive, inclusive, and resilient food system through the use of data, technology, and market information. Dr. Fashola emphasized the importance of innovation in meeting the state's food requirements, particularly given Lagos' rapidly growing population and rising demand for food. He noted that the food security the state desires tomorrow will ultimately depend on the innovations promoted, investments made, and partnerships built today.
Lagos is pursuing its food security objectives through various initiatives, including production, logistics, processing, market, and youth-focused programs. These initiatives include the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub, Mid-Level Agro-Produce Hubs, Eko Rice through the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota, the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, and the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme. The state is also seeking to strengthen the connection between producers and consumers through programs such as Ounje Eko and the Produce for Lagos Offtake Guarantee Fund.
The government is deepening collaboration with farmers, private-sector investors, development partners, research institutions, and technology providers to accelerate investment and innovation in agriculture. Dr. Fashola noted that the state will continue to empower farmers and agripreneurs, promote youth participation, leverage technology and data, and support solutions that make food systems more efficient and responsive.
Lagos is bringing together about 3,500 farmers, agro-processors, agripreneurs, food businesses, and other agricultural value-chain stakeholders for the 2026 World Food Day celebration. The participants will showcase agricultural produce, equipment, and innovations as the state intensifies efforts to strengthen food security amid rising demand. The celebration, themed "Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow," reflects the direction of Lagos' food-systems transformation agenda.
The theme of the World Food Day celebration emphasizes the need for innovation across the entire value chain. Dr. Fashola noted that innovation is no longer an option but a necessity for Lagos, a rapidly growing megacity with an ever-increasing demand for food. The state's food-security strategy is moving beyond production to encompass processing, storage, logistics, distribution, and market access, while also seeking to reduce post-harvest losses and create more opportunities for young people across the agricultural value chain.
The ultimate objective of Lagos' food systems transformation agenda is to create a food system capable of meeting the needs of its growing population while generating employment, creating wealth, and improving livelihoods across the agricultural value chain. Dr. Fashola emphasized that the state remains committed to building a food system that is productive, inclusive, innovative, sustainable, and resilient.
Key points
- The Lagos State government is developing an agricultural database to improve food security and meet the needs of its rapidly growing population.
- The state is pursuing various initiatives to enhance food security, including production, logistics, processing, market, and youth-focused programs.
- The 2026 World Food Day celebration will bring together stakeholders to showcase agricultural produce, equipment, and innovations, and emphasize the need for innovation across the entire value chain.
