Lagos unveils 25% food subsidy, expands Ounje Eko program for farmers

…targets lower food prices and festive relief for residents

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has announced a 25 percent subsidy on essential food items to cushion the impact of rising food prices and provide relief to residents ahead of the festive season.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Mrs Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday at Alausa, Ikeja, where she also unveiled the second phase of the Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme.

According to her, the initiative will make staple foods such as rice, beans, garri, bread, and pepper available at discounted rates through the Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Mushin.

“In addition to the Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme, the Lagos State Government will implement a 25 percent discount on essential food items such as 5kg rice, 3.2kg beans, 2.5kg garri, a loaf of bread, and 1kg each of pepper and other condiments at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub,” she said.

She explained that the subsidy aims to help residents celebrate the festive period with affordable food options, while complementing ongoing interventions designed to support farmers across the state.

In a statement signed by Mrs Olusanya, the commissioner added that the government will also subsidise poultry and fish feeds by 25 percent, and distribute free grains to pig farmers to enhance livestock nutrition and ensure sustainability.

She noted that the policy aligns with the state’s “Produce for Lagos” programme, which promotes local agricultural production and strengthens the state’s food systems transformation agenda.

“Together, we are transforming Lagos into a self-sufficient food system, addressing both production and distribution challenges while promoting inclusivity, innovation, and economic resilience,” she added.

Speaking on the impact of the first phase of the programme, Olusanya said over 5,000 farmers benefited from the intervention, leading to a drop in egg prices from ₦6,000 to ₦5,000 per crate, with about 7 million eggs and 177,000 catfish produced during the period.

She also announced that tractorisation services and fertiliser distribution will be provided to horticulture farmers under the second phase of the subsidy programme.

Olusanya commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to building a food-secure Lagos through inclusive agricultural policies, describing the initiative as “a lasting investment in the state’s economic resilience and citizens’ well-being.”