British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector and advancing food security through the donation of 60 modern smoking kilns and 40 foldable ponds to farmers at the 2025 Eko World Food Day grand finale in Lagos.
The event, themed Hand in Hand, For Better Food and Better Future, formed part of the United Nations World Food Day global celebration led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to promote awareness and action for sustainable food systems.
Held at the Police College, Ikeja, the fair brought together farmers, agripreneurs, corporate organizations, and policymakers to foster collaboration toward a more food-secure Lagos.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government, commended the foundation and its partners for their consistent investment in agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods. He stressed that feeding a megacity like Lagos demands innovation, bold investments, and partnerships that support sustainable growth.
“Our administration remains deeply committed to ensuring Lagos remains food secure despite its geographical constraints, and we recognize the critical role of partnerships such as this in achieving that goal,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Eko World Food Day fair provided a platform for both public and private stakeholders to present practical solutions to Nigeria’s food system challenges. BATNF’s intervention targeted smallholder farmers who had completed its technical and agribusiness training, equipping them with climate-smart tools to minimize post-harvest losses and enhance processing quality.
“Our impact is nationwide; we’ve reached over 1.7 million beneficiaries and supported more than 300,000 farmers across all 36 states and the FCT,” said Yarub Al-Bahrani, board director of the foundation. “Food security cannot be achieved in isolation; it requires every stakeholder, government, private sector, and civil society working hand in hand toward a shared future.”
Another board director, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving the 2025 World Food Day theme, saying the event demonstrates how purposeful partnerships can drive sustainable agricultural progress. “Our contribution of 30 modern smoking kilns and tanks represents our continued promise to equip farmers with tools for success, empowering them to build climate-resilient, commercially viable agribusinesses,” she said.
Organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the fair also featured a dynamic marketplace where farmers and cooperatives supported by the foundation and state agencies sold fresh produce directly to residents at fair prices, promoting affordability, local value addition, and stronger connections between producers and consumers.
