Lagos to Commission Major Food Logistics Hub in Epe as 25,000 More Farmers Get Training

The Lagos State Government says it will commission the first phase of its flagship food logistics hub in Epe before the end of 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen food security and modernise the state’s agricultural value chain.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this on Friday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.

Olusanya said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was shifting from isolated agricultural interventions to a coordinated food systems economy focused on boosting local food production, improving storage and logistics infrastructure, and stabilising food prices.

According to her, more than 25,300 farmers, fisherfolk, processors, livestock operators, market participants, women and youths received training within the review period, in addition to over 100,000 beneficiaries previously trained by the ministry.

She said the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme trained over 1,500 youths in poultry, aquaculture, crop production and agribusiness management, while beneficiaries also received mentorship and productive assets to begin commercial farming.

The commissioner added that 442 secondary schools applied for the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme, with 50 schools selected for practical vegetable farming support and 12 top-performing schools set to receive greenhouse facilities and agricultural inputs.

On livestock development, Olusanya said the Lagos State Butchers Academy trained 20 youths and supported them with containerised meat shops to improve hygiene and modernise the meat value chain.

She disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu had approved the training of another 40 youths alongside the provision of 10 additional meat shops.

Highlighting infrastructure projects, the commissioner said the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota produced more than 500,000 bags of Eko Rice during the review period.

She added that rice cultivation had expanded across several locations, including Eggua, Agonrin and Ganyingbo, to increase paddy supply to the mill.

Olusanya said the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe would handle more than 1,500 trucks daily and support the movement of about 1.5 million metric tonnes of food annually upon completion.

“The project will reduce post-harvest losses, improve food safety, lower logistics costs and support stable food prices across Lagos,” she said.

The commissioner also revealed that the Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin, recorded over ₦1.2 billion in transactions across 76 market days since May 2025, with more than 850 vendors registered and over 7,000 jobs created directly and indirectly.

She said additional agro-produce hubs were being developed in Agege, Opebi, Ikorodu and Bombata, while new locations had been identified in Apapa, Festac and Lekki.

On aquaculture, Olusanya said construction had begun on the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, expected to produce 50 million fingerlings annually, alongside 2,000 tonnes of table-sized fish and 20,000 tonnes of processed fish.

She said the initiative would reduce dependence on imported fish, boost local production and create jobs across the fish value chain.

The commissioner further disclosed that nearly 67,000 beneficiaries received grants, farm inputs, advisory services and other support under different agricultural intervention programmes between May 2025 and now.

Olusanya said Lagos remained committed to building a resilient, technology-driven and sustainable food system capable of guaranteeing long-term food security.