Lagos focuses on food to drive growth

The Lagos food sector is on a transformative path, emerging as a vital link between the nation’s agricultural abundance and its expanding consumer market, the Governor Sanwo-Olu  has said.

According to him, the food market, is gaining momentum due to rising demand, advancements and strong policy support.

Speaking in an interview during the Lagos Food Festival, the Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the government  was investing in the talent of its burgeoning culinary sector, viewing the food industry not merely as a cultural showcase but as a crucial engine for economic growth and youth empowerment.

He   said the government was determined to use the Lagos Food   Festival  to professionalise the sector, create thousands of jobs, and cement Lagos’s status as the commercial and cultural epicentre of Africa.

He noted that Lagos Food Festival, a major activity  of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems’ calendar,  now served as a vivid exhibition of the vision, pulling in entrepreneurs, families, and international visitors.

 The event, which showcases the state’s diverse food culture and provides a platform for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),he  continued, is a tangible expression of the government’s comprehensive approach to food security and enterprise development.

Speaking on the administration’s resolve to harness the  creative industry, Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the broader economic impact. “This is more than just a festival; it is an economic strategy in action.We are creating a robust ecosystem where food entrepreneurs, particularly our smart, innovative young people, have the opportunity to thrive, to vend, and to transform their businesses. The spirit of Lagos is one of ingenuity, and we are channeling that into the food space.”

Sanwo-Olu underscored the pivotal role of training and support in achieving the objective. “In line with our comprehensive agenda, we are fully committed to providing the necessary support—from financing to training—to ensure our culinary talent is world-class. When you see young people here at the festival, they are not just showing their talents; they are making money, demonstrating the spirit of innovation that is the very DNA of Lagos. We want Lagos to remain the home for all skills and professions.”

According to him, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems has actively implemented interventions, including culinary competitions and agripreneurship programmes, to foster this environment.

The Governor highlighted the dual benefit of these initiatives: showcasing Lagos’s cuisine as a form of cultural diplomacy while ensuring a stable and efficient food system.

“Food security and sustainable economic transformation are at the heart of our plan,We are using food to tell the Lagos story, putting our various cuisines and dishes on display for the world to see and appreciate. Every successful young chef, every flourishing food vendor, is another victory for our economy, driving job creation and reinforcing Lagos as a national asset critical to Nigeria’s overall growth,”” Governor Sanwo-Olu added. “

During the event,  Sanwo-Olu, participated in the cooking and tasting of seafood rice with stir-fry spinach.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya noted that the  food sector holds immense transformative potential, both as a driver of economic growth and as a catalyst for inclusive development.

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As evolving consumer preferences and health-conscious choices reshape the  food system,  she  said the government was working  to reinforce the sector’s strategic importance in driving sustainable growth and meeting the rising demand for safe, nutritious and affordable food.

She noted that the food festival represented one strategy of the government to focus on exploring the potential of the   country’s culinary ecosystem, preserve heritage dishes.

According to her, the festival  helps to make Lagos a world-class tourist hub, and  food plays a central role. She  explained that  visitors  can  remember  the festival for its flavors, traditions, and dining experiences and that it’s about shaping an identity that connects with both locals and international guests.

Through the festival, she indicated that Lagos was empowering the next generation of  chefs,adding that  culinary arts offer an exciting opportunity for young  Nigerians  to merge tradition with innovation.

She continued that the festival has elevated  the state’s  culinary talent to serve as cultural ambassadors, connecting people through flavors and traditions.