By Lanre Shodimu
Nigeria’s food inflation is often caused by post harvest losses
It is said that the country losses an average of 35 million metric tons of food in 2025 due to poor storage and broken logistics, resulting in massive post-harvest losses, according to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State.
Such losses according to the Governor, presents opportunities for investment, which in turn will curb the deficit suffered yearly.
Represented by Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, stated that the state’s food economy has more than doubled in six years, from N6.5 trillion in 2019 to over N16 trillion now, explained that despite this growing food economy, Lagos still suffers from a high rate of post-harvest losses. “Last year alone, Nigeria lost between N3.5 trillion and N5 trillion — that is, 30 to 40 million metric tonnes of food,” Sanwo-Olu said.
To post-harvest waste, mainly because of poor storage and broken logistics,” he added.
He noted that the state is open for business, urging exhibitors and investors to bring their best solutions, technology, expertise, and capital to address the issues plaguing the country’s food systems.
“Bring your best solutions, your expertise, and your capital. Come and co-create with us the systems that work for our roads, our climate, our farmers, and our consumers.” “The returns are real, the market is here, and the political will is unwavering.”
According to the governor, Nigeria’s food security can be achieved by cold rooms that stay powered, trucks that keep produce fresh from Kano to Lagos, processing plants that turn raw harvest into export-grade products, and market linkages that put money in the hands of farmers.
He noted further that the state is already investing heavily in fixing the problem and creating an enabling environment for the private sector to tackle the problem as well and thrive.
He explained that the state has stopped managing the problem of postharvest losses and started fixing it at scale.
