Lagos State’s largest and central food and logistics hub whose construction began about 17 months ago, is at the cusp of completion as the largest food and logistics hub in West Africa by the fourth quarter of 2024. This monumental project, situated on 1.2 million square meters of land in Ketu-Ereyun in Epe, holds the promise of reducing food costs by at least 25%.
The project partner, Origin Group, made this commitment during the project’s initiation in 2022, affirming the assurance given by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who promised that the hub would provide a better buying experience for consumers; and help achieve a reduction in logistics costs, while guaranteeing the standardisation of quantity and quality for agricultural products. The largest food security systems and central logistics park in sub-Saharan Africa, situated on 1.2 million square metres of land in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, was initiated as a pivotal component of the five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Road Map (2021-2025) by the governor.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu had remarked that the choice of the location for the project was strategic, given its easy access and proximity to agrarian settlements. He said the state had secured a well thought out funding scheme to kick off the project, which he promised, would be delivered in last quarter of 2024. He explained that the Lagos agricultural road is expected to take full advantage of all value chains in which the state has competitive and comparative advantages with a view to scale up self-sufficiency in food production from 18 to 40%. Designed to benefit over five million traders in the agricultural value chain, the facility ensures a consistent food supply to more than 10 million Lagosians for at least 90 days during scarcity periods. Boasting storage facilities for over 1,500 trucks, the hub streamlines operations for countless operators within the food value chain, facilitating large commercial transactions.
The park has great prospects in both the upstream and downstream sectors of agriculture. This has further reinforced Lagos’ status as the primary destination for agricultural produce along the West African corridor. Operated on a robust off-grid power source of 900 megawatts, the facility is said to have already generated 16,000 direct jobs, contributing significantly to local employment. This highlights the remarkable progress and success of Lagos State’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and reduction of waste. The hub stands as a testament to the transformative power of strategic planning and execution, setting an inspiring example for regions seeking to bolster food security and economic resilience.
