In a move to strengthen inter-state collaboration on food security, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has received a N5 billion cheque from Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to support the cultivation of food crops for Lagos markets.
The presentation took place at the launch of the N500 billion “Produce for Lagos” initiative held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
In a statement issued by Bologi Ibrahim, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, the N5 billion funding is for the cultivation of rice, yam, and beans under a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food sufficiency.
The statement revealed that the “Produce for Lagos” initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agricultural agenda, which promotes inter-state collaboration to boost food production and national food security.
Governor Bago also referred to as farmer governor, was commended at the event by various speakers for his unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation through mechanisation, which they described as a vital pathway to lifting Nigeria from poverty to prosperity.
The statement further highlighted that the objectives of the partnership include establishing a coordinated, data-driven system for supplying agricultural produce to Lagos, developing farm estates in Niger State, and reducing post-harvest losses through a private-sector-led logistics ecosystem.
Under the agreement, Lagos State is expected to provide guaranteed offtake agreements through licensed aggregators, facilitate working capital loans to the Niger Aggregation Company, and grant access to the Lagos Food Logistics Hub for bulk deliveries.
The state will also support investment matchmaking and ensure that quality standards are communicated to producers.
Niger State, on its part, will allocate land for farm estate development, register the Niger Aggregation Company in line with programme standards, and provide essential infrastructure such as access roads and utilities. It will also implement regulatory measures to support inter-state logistics and private-sector operations.
Both states will define aggregation zones and logistics corridors, harmonise quality standards, monitor programme implementation, and jointly address challenges through a Steering Committee. A Programme Delivery Office (PDO) will also be set up to coordinate daily implementation with stakeholders.
According to the statement, the partnership will run for an initial period of five years and is subject to renewal by mutual agreement.
