Food security: Sanwo-Olu inaugurates Agege food hub, targets lower prices

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated the Mid-Level Agro-Produce Hub at Pen Cinema, Agege. He described the new facility as a crucial element in the state's strategy to enhance food security and reduce the cost of food for residents.

"This facility represents our commitment to bringing modern food infrastructure closer to the people, to the communities where Lagosians buy, sell and consume food every day," Sanwo-Olu stated during the inauguration. He highlighted that Lagos's food economy is valued at over N16 trillion, with more than 70 percent of its food supply imported from outside the state. Key challenges identified include high transportation costs, post-harvest losses, inadequate storage, and price volatility.

To address these issues, the state launched the Lagos State Food Systems Transformation Agenda in 2021. A central component is the Lagos Central Food Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe, which is designed to become Sub-Saharan Africa's largest food logistics hub. This facility is expected to handle over 1.5 million metric tons of food annually and service more than 1,500 food trucks daily. Its construction is in advanced stages.

The Agege hub is the third in a network of mid-level agro-produce hubs. The Mushin hub, opened in December 2023, has already recorded over N4 billion in transactions, supporting over 850 vendors and creating more than 7,000 jobs. The Abijo hub was inaugurated earlier this year. Sanwo-Olu noted that these hubs shorten supply chains, reduce intermediaries, improve produce handling, and increase distribution efficiency. Additional hubs are planned for Opebi, Bombata, Ikorodu, Apapa, Festac, and Lekki.

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This facility represents our commitment to bringing modern food infrastructure closer to the people, to the communities where Lagosians buy, sell and consume food every day.