Melvin Onwubuke
The Governors of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Niger state, Mallam Umar Mohammed Bago have endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding in Lagos, initiating a collaboration aimed at leveraging their unique advantages.
The objective of this partnership is to ensure that agricultural products are consistently delivered to the consumer.
This agreement, known as the “Produce for Lagos Initiative,” is an effort by both states to participate in the Emergency Food Security Initiative, planning to cultivate thousands of hectares to maintain a consistent food production and supply chain.
The Memorandum of Understanding sets out a strategic, sustained collaboration among the two States to take account of their own strengths. Lagos serves as a significant, organised food market for consumers, whereas Niger boasts extensive arable land suited for agriculture and food production.
In order to ensure effective storage and distribution, the agreement will lead to a significant supply of agricultural products from Niger into Lagos Food Logistics Centres.
Lagos and Governor Mallam Umar Mohammed Bago of Niger State formalized the MoU, marking a significant step in this collaborative effort.
In his remark, Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “We have just put the pen to paper and signed the Government-to-Government agreement between Lagos and Niger states for agricultural production. Lagos, being the smallest State in terms of landmass, and Niger, being the largest State, is no coincidence that the biggest and the smallest are looking for at opportunities to citizens of our both states to be the beneficiaries of this historic partnership.”
In response, the Niger state Governor, Umar Bago described the deal as a landmark for both states that leverages on the comparative advantages in both states.
