‘Production meets market’ — Lagos, Niger state partner to improve food security

The governments of Lagos and Niger states have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the production and sale of food items between them.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, and Umaru Bago of Niger state signed the produce-for-Lagos initiative on Wednesday.

The produce-for-Lagos initiative is expected to position Niger state to focus on producing a variety of food items, including paddy, tubers, legumes, and grains, while Lagos establishes itself as a prominent organised market for the products.

The MoU would see that farmers in Niger state, a leading producer of paddy rice in Nigeria, have a reliable market for their produce in Lagos.

The partnership is also aimed at ensuring the availability and price stability of essential food items in both states.

Abisola Olusanya, the Lagos commissioner for agriculture, said the partnership is an extension of the federal government’s initiative to ensure food security in the country. 

“The partnership agreement signed between the two governors is part of the efforts the state governors are also putting towards ensuring the declaration made by Mr President on the emergency of food security,” Olusanya said.

“This collaboration is a very simplified one. Lagos is working on its areas of core competence and advantage with its organised market and Niger state is also capitalising on its comparative advantage which is the land mass. Niger State has the largest land mass in Nigeria and over 85% of its land is arable.

“It is a marriage made in heaven. It is a function of production meeting market and vice versa.”