The Lagos State Government has revealed that food transactions worth over N3 billion have been recorded at the Mid-Level Agro Produce Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin, since its launch in December 2023.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this on Tuesday during the ongoing 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s sixth year in office.
Olusanya said the hub, commissioned on 17 December 2023, commenced operations with the sale of farm-fresh agro-produce every Wednesday and Saturday.
READ ALSO: Uber, Indrive, Bolt drivers, others threaten to shut down operations in Lagos
She described it as a key component of the state’s food system transformation agenda.
“The total value of transactions at the hub since inception stands at over N3 billion,” she said.
“This hub represents the second tier of our food system transformation efforts. Additional hubs are currently under construction in Agege, Abijo, and Opebi.”
The Commissioner also highlighted the administration’s broader agricultural initiatives, including the establishment of the Lagos Cattle Transit Station, ranches, and the Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe.
According to her, these projects reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to boosting the agricultural sector.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu has initiated a revolution in the agro space,” she said, “ensuring Lagosians have access to wholesome food at affordable prices, processed in hygienic conditions and sold in dignified markets.”
Olusanya warned that Lagos’s population is projected to hit 24 million by 2030, stressing the need to significantly scale up food production.
She noted that the state’s annual food demand would rise to N7.96 trillion by then, requiring imports of up to N3.38 trillion if local production is not increased.
“To meet 40% of this demand locally, Lagos must grow its food production by at least 20% annually,” she added.
Highlighting the Ministry’s achievements, Olusanya said several initiatives had boosted food production, agro enterprises, and employment across the value chain.
These include the Produce for Lagos Programme, which has redefined food marketing, transportation, and processing, as well as forged upcountry partnerships to ensure steady supply.
The Commissioner also cited the introduction of Food Discount Markets and the ‘Ounje Eko’ Farmers’ Subsidy Programme, which aims to reduce the impact of high animal feed costs and provide affordable food to communities.
On the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, Olusanya disclosed that it had produced over 240,000 bags of 50kg rice, created 430 direct jobs, and over 10,000 indirect employment opportunities.
She added that the state had partnered with multiple organisations for paddy production and technical support to sustain the mill.
Other milestones include distribution of subsidised food items to 800,000 households through the ‘Ounje Eko’ project, support for 3,726 poultry and fish farmers with subsidised feed and training of 300 youths in beekeeping (apiculture).
READ ALSO: Lagos to deepen cultural collaborations with international stakeholders
Others are empowerment of 70,200 beneficiaries across various agricultural value chains with inputs and production assets and construction of 13km of farm access roads, six jetties, and 15 cottage processing centres under the APPEALS and Lagos CARES programmes, in collaboration with the World Bank.
Additional programmes mentioned include the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme (LASP), the Agrinnovation Club/Agrithon Fund, Eko Flavours competition, Lagos Food Festival, Urban Farming Initiative, Eko Agro Mechanisation Project, LACE Aquaculture Centre, and the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural growth in Africa’s most populous city.
