Ododo Positions Kogi as a Food Powerhouse in Sanwo-Olu’s ₦500bn Produce for Lagos Programme — Abdurazaq Abdulkadir

Why Kogi’s strategic partnership with Lagos could transform Nigeria’s food security — if managed wisely

“Kogi must seize the Lagos opportunity without compromising its own food security.”

Kogi State, under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is fast emerging as a key player in Nigeria’s food security landscape. From bold reforms in agriculture to strategic partnerships that open billion-naira opportunities, the administration is earning national and international recognition.

Recently, the African Development Bank (AfDB) spotlighted Kogi alongside Ogun as the only two states invited to a high-level policy dialogue in Abuja. The state’s new agricultural direction now qualifies it to benefit from the AfDB’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) — a platform for boosting agribusiness and rural economies.

Highlights at a Glance:

Kogi named among two states recognised by the AfDB for bold agricultural reforms.

₦500bn Lagos Offtake Guarantee Fund targets food security and market linkages.

Kogi partners with Lagos in the Produce for Lagos programme to access its ₦16.14 trillion food market.

Strategic governors involved: Usman Ododo (Kogi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Mohammed Umaru Bago (Niger), Agbu Kefas (Taraba).

Call for balance between commercial supply and local food sufficiency.

*Produce for Lagos — The Opportunity and the Risk*

The Lagos State Government’s Produce for Lagos programme, backed by a ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, aims to:

• Provide guaranteed offtake contracts for farmers.

• Offer access to financing and logistics support.

• Connect agricultural producers directly to Lagos’s massive food market.

Kogi’s inclusion is no accident — the state is a major producer of staple crops and is strategically located to supply not only Lagos but other regions as well.

But here’s the caution:
If not managed carefully, moving large volumes of Kogi’s produce to Lagos could strain local food availability, driving up prices for residents and leaving vulnerable populations at risk.

> “We must never repeat the painful seasons when Kogi’s harvest was emptied to zero reserve, forcing citizens to buy food at exorbitant prices.” — Abdurazaq Abdulkadir

*What Kogi Must Do to Win Big Without Losing Local Gains*

1. Secure Rural Farmlands — Ensure farmers in agricultural belts work without fear of attacks.

2. Profile Real Farmers — Identify genuine rural producers instead of ‘portfolio farmers’ in existing databases.

3. Map Arable Lands — Detailed profiling of soil health, water access, and agricultural potential.

4. Leverage ADP & Partner Projects — Fully utilize government and multilateral agricultural programmes.

5. Boost Extension Services — Ensure skilled personnel can transfer modern farming techniques.

6. Engage Private Sector — Attract investment into storage, processing, and distribution.

7. Empower Youth & Women — Make agribusiness attractive to the next generation.

*The Win-Win Model*

• The right approach will allow Kogi to:

• Meet its own food needs first.

• Supply Lagos consistently under the programme.

• Boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

• Strengthen rural economies and create jobs.

• Promote national integration through agribusiness trade.

Governor Ododo now stands at a historic crossroads. By combining strategic planning with community-focused policy, Kogi can rise as both a food security stronghold and a national agribusiness hub.

God bless His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
God bless Kogi State.
God bless Lagos State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Abdurazaq Olusegun Abdulkadir
LSA to Governor Ododo
Yagba East LGA