President Tinubu Commissions Abijo Fresh Food Hub in Lagos State

News in Brief:

-Tinubu has commissioned the Abijo Fresh Food Hub in Lagos to improve access to affordable fresh produce and strengthen decentralised food distribution across the state.

-The project, aligned with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s agricultural roadmap, is expected to boost farmer incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance market access.

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has virtually commissioned the mid-level Lagos State Fresh Food Hub in Abijo along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, marking a significant milestone in the state’s drive toward food security and modernised agricultural distribution.

The President was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who highlighted the importance of strategic infrastructure in addressing food access challenges in rapidly growing urban areas like Lagos.

Sitting on a 23,000 square metre expanse, the Abijo Fresh Food Hub features modern cold and dry storage facilities, spacious trading floors, and ample parking, designed to create a seamless experience for both vendors and consumers. The hub is expected to serve communities along the Lekki-Epe corridor by bringing fresh and affordable produce closer to residents, thereby reducing reliance on congested central markets

Expanding Lagos’ Decentralised Food System

The Abijo hub is part of a broader network of food distribution centres being developed across the state. The first hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin, has already demonstrated strong success, generating over ₦2.5 billion in transactions within its first year of operation through more than 348 vendors.

Additional hubs are currently under development in Agege, Lagos Island, Oregun, and Ikorodu, reinforcing the state’s commitment to decentralising access to food. Developed by Origin Tech Group, the Abijo facility is expected to further strengthen Lagos’ food market system by improving food distribution efficiency and creating new economic opportunities for traders.

This initiative aligns with the Lagos Agricultural Roadmap, launched in 2021 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which aims to enhance local food production, reduce dependence on external supply chains, and ensure long-term food security.

.Linking Farmers to Markets Through Logistics Innovation

In the long term, the food hubs will be supported by the Lagos Food Logistics Park in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, a large-scale aggregation and processing centre designed to streamline the movement of agricultural produce into the city.

The logistics park is expected to reduce post-harvest losses significantly, currently estimated at up to 40 per cent, through advanced storage and cold chain systems. It will also provide farmers with direct access to the Lagos market, eliminating multiple layers of intermediaries and improving profit margins.

Through the “Produce for Lagos” initiative, farmers will benefit from guaranteed offtake agreements backed by a ₦500 billion guarantee fund, ensuring stable income and encouraging increased production. Additionally, the facility will enhance logistics efficiency to handle over 1,500 trucks daily, while also offering access to modern processing, packaging, and agricultural techniques.

With the Abijo Fresh Food Hub set to become operational, stakeholders expect increased transaction volumes, improved food affordability, and a more resilient agricultural value chain across Lagos.