The Lagos State Government has said innovation, technology, and sustainable practices are critical to building a resilient food system capable of meeting the needs of the state’s growing population and has announced plans to celebrate about 3,500 value chain stakeholders at the 2026 World Food Day.
Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, said this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Lagos to unveil activities for the celebration.
Speaking at the press conference to announce the event with the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” Fashola said that “it is important to provide agriculture platforms that create wealth and employment and improve livelihoods across the agricultural value chain.”
Fashola said that the commemoration transcends just celebration, as it serves as a rallying point for governments, development partners, farmers, private-sector actors, researchers, innovators, and communities to harness efforts towards achieving sustainable food systems.
“The theme for this year’s celebration, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” is both timely and reflective of the direction of the Lagos State Government’s food systems transformation agenda. It calls for a renewed commitment to harnessing innovation, technology, research, and sustainable practices across the agricultural value chain. For Lagos, a rapidly growing megacity with an ever-increasing demand for food, innovation is no longer an option but a necessity.
“We must continuously explore new and smarter ways of increasing agricultural productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, improving processing and storage, strengthening food distribution networks, expanding market access, creating decent employment opportunities, and ensuring that Lagosians have access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. The food security we desire tomorrow will ultimately depend on the innovations we promote, the investments we make, and the partnerships we build today,” he said.
The World Food Day Celebration is observed annually on the 16th of October to provide an opportunity for the global community to renew commitment to the fight against hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity, and the Special Adviser outlined numerous activities ahead of this major event.
Fashola said that the activities of the Y2026 World Food Day would kick off with a road walk on Thursday, 8th October, 2026, followed by the Lagos Agric Scholars Quiz Competition on Wednesday, 14th October, 2026, at the Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro Mushin.
The grand finale will be held at the Ikeja Police College Parade Ground, where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to attend as a special guest.
Fashola said that the ministry has, in the past years, implemented a range of transformative initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s food ecosystem.
He said this “has greatly impacted the strengthening of processing, storage, logistics, distribution, and market linkages, as well as encouraging greater participation of young people in agriculture and agribusiness.
Fashola promised that the state government, through the Ministry, will continue to deepen collaboration with farmers, private-sector investors, development partners, research institutions, technology providers, and other stakeholders to accelerate innovation and investment in the sector.
According to him, “We will also continue to empower farmers and agripreneurs, promote youth participation, leverage technology and data, and support solutions that make our food systems more efficient and responsive.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, emphasised the need to scale up efforts and collaborate with stakeholders towards ensuring a future where everyone has access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
Packaged by Alaba Igbaraola
