The Lagos State Government has expressed optimism that the dream of achieving food security and sustainability is attainable—if deliberate efforts are made to reduce post-harvest losses to the barest minimum.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, made this assertion during the Cold Chain in Agriculture Roundtable 2025, organized by ecotutu at Workforce, The Zone, in the Gbagada area of the state.
Olusanya emphasized that although cold chain storage plays a strategic role in the agricultural value chain, it remains under-discussed. She said Lagos State is on the right path in tackling post-harvest losses through collaboration with major stakeholders like ecotutu.
She further stressed the need for accurate data to support effective decision-making in the sector.
Olusanya noted that while Lagos produces less than 20% of what it consumes—despite its large population—it must attract basic infrastructure investments, including solar power solutions from the private sector for mutual economic benefits.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Olusesan Ayeni, a Director at ORIGIN Tech, revealed that there are investment opportunities worth up to $8 billion to address infrastructure deficits within the cold chain sector in Nigeria.
According to Ayeni, the country loses an estimated ₦3.5 trillion annually—representing 60% of total food production—due to post-harvest losses caused by poor logistics, inadequate road networks, and weak transportation systems.
He stressed that while Nigeria is producing enough food, it continues to lose a significant portion due to a lack of supporting infrastructure. Ayeni emphasized that the construction of projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and improved power supply would significantly improve food preservation and distribution.
Ayeni advocated for a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework and a “catch-them-young” approach in agriculture to drive innovation and infrastructure development across the value chain.
In his remarks, Ayo Sotinrin, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, reiterated the bank’s core mandate of financing infrastructure in the agricultural sector. He noted that access to finance remains a major challenge across all sectors but assured stakeholders that the issue is being addressed to fast-track national development.
Sotinrin, who assumed office two months ago, acknowledged operational inefficiencies in the system, including overstaffing. He pledged to expand the bank’s network from 10 branches nationwide, ensuring easier access for farmers and stakeholders within the value chain.
Also speaking, Mr. Peter Keulers, Deputy Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, expressed concern over the high volume of daily food waste in Nigeria. He strongly believes that Nigeria can learn from the Dutch model by embracing technology-driven solutions to address the challenge.
Ms. Adejoke Nofiu, Head of Operations at ecotutu, stated that the large turnout at the forum reflects a growing concern for safe and sustainable food preservation.
She explained that the forum aimed to explore ways to finance and maximize the potential of cold chain storage systems, assuring that all recommendations from the event would be implemented effectively. Nofiu also highlighted ecotutu’s positive impact on thousands of farmers through various intervention programs and thanked all partners for their continued support.
Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Agriculture, described cold chain investment as a welcome development and a solid foundation for achieving greater heights in the agricultural sector.
The theme of the event was: “Accelerating Cold Chain Adoption for a Sustainable Agricultural Future in Nigeria.”