The Lagos State Government has commenced construction of the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE) in Igbonla, Epe, with an initial investment of N10 billion under a Public-Private Partnership with Dula Agro-Services Ltd. The ambitious initiative is part of efforts to transform Lagos into a key player in aquaculture production and expand opportunities across the seafood value chain.
Spanning 35 hectares, the centre is projected to produce 50 million fingerlings, 2,000 tons of table-sized fish, 20,000 tons of processed fish, and 24,000 tons of fish feed annually. The project will serve as a strategic anchor for Lagos’ aquaculture development and contribute to the state’s food security goals.
Speaking at the launch, Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, noted that LACE will support 5,000 smallholder fish farms, generate 500 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect ones, and strengthen the state’s capacity for domestic and export-oriented fish production. The facility will house a hatchery, feed mill, processing plants, and training and research units to ensure comprehensive sectoral development.
Managing Director of Dula Agro-Services, Mr. Ifedolapo Atimo, described the project as a model for sustainable aquaculture growth. He said the centre will help reduce fish feed costs, improve productivity, and position Lagos as a competitive exporter of quality seafood. The design reflects a commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability, and inclusive rural economic growth.
With aquaculture emerging as a crucial pillar for food systems, the state government expects LACE to increase farm incomes, enhance job creation in rural areas, and stimulate broader agricultural industrialisation across Lagos. The initiative signals a major push towards self-sufficiency in fish production while unlocking new opportunities in the agro-economy.
