The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to achieve food security with renewed support for agricultural cooperatives, positioning them as key drivers of local food production and economic stability.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu made this known at the 3rd Anniversary and 1st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Eko Farmers Appeals Cooperative Multipurpose Society, held at the Johnson Agiri Complex, Oko-Oba, Agege.
Represented by the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, the Governor said the move aligns with Lagos’ broader strategy to strengthen farmers’ cooperatives as a pathway to sustainable food systems.
He described farmers as critical stakeholders in Lagos’ development, noting that their role is increasingly important as the State’s population continues to grow.
According to him, over 60 percent of vegetables consumed in Lagos are now produced locally, signaling steady progress in urban agriculture and government-backed initiatives.
“Cooperatives remain central to our vision of a food-secure Lagos. They provide farmers with access to finance, shared resources, and structured market opportunities,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need to reduce dependence on external food sources by strengthening local systems across production, processing, storage, and distribution.
He also outlined key interventions by the State Government, including improved access to finance, modern farming techniques, quality inputs, and enhanced logistics to curb post-harvest losses.
The Governor reaffirmed support for farmers across the five divisions of the State—Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ikeja, and Lagos Island—while encouraging youth participation in agriculture as a viable and profitable venture.
In her remarks, President of the Eko Farmers Appeals Cooperative Multipurpose Society, Alhaja Nurat Atoba, said the cooperative was established to ensure sustainability and provide a structured support system for farmers across Lagos.
She explained that the platform serves as an umbrella body offering savings and loan schemes, input financing, empowerment programmes, and networking opportunities for its members.
Atoba revealed that the cooperative is working towards becoming a farmer-owned microfinance institution aimed at expanding access to funding within the agricultural sector.
She disclosed that the cooperative currently has over 1,000 registered members, with about 350 active monthly savers and more than 200 shareholders.
Providing a performance update, she noted that between 2024 and 2025, the cooperative recorded a 140 percent increase in total income, a 175.53 percent rise in net income, and a 34.5 percent growth in savings. She added that loans exceeding ₦100 million have been disbursed to members, alongside the development of sustainable soil improvement products.
While expressing concern over low attendance at the AGM despite high registration figures, she expressed optimism about stronger participation going forward.
Atoba commended the Lagos State Government for its continued support and acknowledged the contributions of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, as well as ministry officials, stakeholders, and members of the cooperative.
The event marked a significant milestone for the cooperative, celebrating three years of growth, impact, and its contribution to strengthening Lagos’ food system.
