Nigeria needs bold investments, partnerships to feed growing population – Olusanya
…as Lagos lines up activities to mark World Food Day
Abisola Olusanya, commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, Lagos, has said that addressing the country’s food security challenges requires bold investments, innovative strategies and strategic partnerships.
Olusanya made this known during a press briefing to outline activities by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to mark this year’s World Food Day, themed ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.’
The commissioner said World Food Day serves as a rallying call for governments, development partners, farmers, and communities to embrace sustainable food systems and promote food security.
She said the theme emphasised the urgent need for partnerships across governments, the private sector, development organisations, and communities to transform agrifood systems, promote healthy diets, and safeguard the environment.
Quoting the United Nations, she defined food security as the means that all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets dietary needs for an active and healthy life.
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According to her, poor nutrition weakens the immune system, fuels diseases, and lowers productivity, thereby stifling economic growth.
She noted that the challenge of food security is unique to Lagos, the country’s commercial centre, owing to the high population. “Despite being the smallest State in terms of land mass, Lagos is home to over twenty-two million people and therefore the most densely populated State.”
“Feeding our population, therefore, requires innovative strategies, bold investments, and strong partnerships.”
Speaking on what Lagos is doing to drive food security, Olusanya said the state launched a 5-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap in 2021, which targets 40 percent food self-sufficiency by 2025.
She said since the launch of the initiative, the agric ministry has rolls out transformative programmes to enhance food production, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen market linkages and empower farmers and youths.
“Lagos State has continued to invest in transformative programmes aimed at building a sustainable and resilient food system,” she said.
She listed the implementation of the Food Systems Transformation Agenda, the Produce for Lagos Programme, Lagos rice mill, and Eko Agro Mechanisation Programme as some landmark projects to address food insecurity.
Others are the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme, Lagos Agric Scholars Programme, Cattle Feedlot Project, Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, Eko Last Mile Meat Shops & Butchers Academy, Lagos Agrithon, Ounje Eko Farmer Subsidy Programme and the Eko Flavour – Junior/Senior.
The Lagos Agric Scholar quiz will take place tomorrow, a Road Walk show will take place on Wednesday and the grand finale will take place on Thursday, 16th October, 2025, at Ikeja Police College parade ground as activities line up to mark the 2025 World Food Day.
