The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems have partnered to drive increased investment in the red meat and coconut value chains, as part of efforts to strengthen food systems and attract private sector participation in Lagos State.
The partnership was highlighted at a two-day Investment Roundtable held on Tuesday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The roundtable focused on discussing investment strategies for both value chains and validating key proposals under the Lagos State Red Meat Initiative and the Coconut Value Chain Programme.
The event followed extensive technical support provided through the FAO Technical Cooperation Project titled “Technical Support for Feasibility and Value Chain Analysis of Lagos State Cattle Feedlot Farm Estate,” as well as the FAO–UNIDO-supported Coconut Value Chain Programme. According to organisers, both initiatives have produced detailed economic and financial analyses and investment notes that now require strong stakeholder backing for resource mobilisation and implementation.
Speaking at the roundtable, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, appreciated the role of FAO in supporting the growth of both value chains. Olusanya, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Emmanuel Audu, commended FAO for its continued technical partnership and shared vision of building a modern, competitive and investment-ready agri-food economy in Lagos.
“Today’s gathering is not just another meeting, it is a deliberate matchmaking platform to translate value chain analysis into bankable investments,” Olusanya said. “And to connect financiers with viable projects, and to unlock new levels of productivity, jobs, industrialisation, and food security.”
She noted that Lagos State is facing growing pressure from rapid population growth and rising consumption demand, making it necessary for the food economy to expand in line with these realities. According to her, Lagos remains one of Nigeria’s largest consumer markets for beef.
“The FAO-supported assessment highlights the scale of demand: Lagos State is estimated to require about 1,873,667 heads of cattle annually,” she said. “While local production is far below this need, supply is still largely dependent on inflows from outside Lagos.”
On the coconut value chain, Olusanya said Lagos State holds a strong comparative advantage, producing about 60 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic coconut output. She explained that this amounted to about 135,000 metric tonnes out of a national total of 225,500 metric tonnes in 2020, measured in whole nut equivalent.
“At the same time, Nigeria still imports large volumes, nearly 400,000 MT (whole nut equivalent) and much of that import flow enters through Badagry,” she said. “This tells us something important: demand is massive, and the opportunity for import substitution and value addition is real, especially if we improve productivity and mature nut availability for processors.”
The commissioner added that Lagos offers key factors that investors look for, including a large market, an active private sector, improving infrastructure, and strong government commitment to reforms. She stressed that evidence from both value chains shows that profitability is achievable when systems are efficient and standards are properly strengthened.
“Our role as government is clear: to set the rules, enable investments, coordinate stakeholders, protect consumers, and ensure sustainability, so that the private sector can scale,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Hussein Gadain, who was represented by Mr Tofiq Braimah, FAO Programme Officer, described Lagos as strategic to Nigeria’s food security goals.
“This gathering is not just an event; it is a defining moment in our shared commitment to transform agriculture and food systems in Lagos State and Nigeria at large,” Gadain said. “Lagos is more than the economic nerve centre of Nigeria—it is a gateway to regional and global markets, a hub of innovation, and a melting pot of opportunities.”
He noted that Lagos occupies a unique position in the national food value chain, influencing consumption patterns, driving technological adoption, and setting benchmarks for agricultural modernisation. According to him, this role gives the state the potential to accelerate Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
Gadain added that through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Lagos has shown strong leadership and commitment to building a sustainable agri-food system. He said FAO is proud to support Lagos as a trusted partner, with the collaboration anchored on strategic investment analysis across key value chains.
“These value chains include coconut, livestock, and feedlot systems—to attract private sector and multilateral investments,” he said. “These analyses provide evidence-based insights that guide strategic decisions, ensuring investments are impactful, sustainable, and inclusive.”
He explained that the initiative goes beyond farming, aiming to build an integrated economic ecosystem that links production, processing, logistics, and trade. According to him, leveraging Lagos’ industrial strength and commercial networks will help unlock new opportunities, create decent jobs, and empower the youth population.
“This approach positions Lagos to fully exploit AfCFTA opportunities, making it a model for agricultural transformation across Africa,” Gadain said.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr Emmanuel Audu, represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Rasheed Macaulay, said the state is prepared to receive investments in the identified value chains. He said FAO’s collaboration reflects a shared resolve to move beyond policy discussions to practical, investment-driven solutions for food systems transformation.
