The Lagos State Government has announced the official launch of its Produce for Lagos Offtake Guarantee Fund & Programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and strengthening food security.
Slated to commence on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the programme is a public-private partnership delivered through the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company. It is designed to empower smallholder farmers, reduce post-harvest waste, improve access to fresh produce, and drive agricultural productivity across the country.
Described by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems as “a visionary step toward building a resilient and inclusive food system,” the programme introduces a N500 billion guaranteed offtake fund. This fund ensures that farm produce will be purchased and efficiently distributed, providing income security for farmers and agri-processors.
According to programme coordinators, the initiative is focused on catalysing mass food production while improving logistics, storage, and market access. “We want to make sure that fresh, healthy, and affordable food reaches every household,” they said.
A key feature of the initiative is EKOLOG, a logistics arm designed to tackle post-harvest losses and spoilage. With temperature-controlled trucks and a coordinated delivery system, EKOLOG aims to preserve food quality from farm to market.
Other components include bulk produce aggregation, structured market access, and job creation opportunities. The programme also places a strong emphasis on building a food-sovereign Nigeria through inclusive participation.
“This is a call to action,” the organisers stated. “From farmers and aggregators to distributors and financiers, everyone has a role to play.”
With this bold move, Lagos is signaling its commitment to sustainable food innovation, inclusive growth, and economic transformation in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
