The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems to mobilise investment into the red meat and coconut value chains, positioning both sectors as engines for job creation, food security and sustainable livelihoods.
The collaboration took centre stage at a two-day investment roundtable held on Tuesday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event brought together policymakers, development partners and private sector stakeholders to validate investment proposals under the Lagos State Red Meat Initiative and the Coconut Value Chain Programme.
The roundtable followed extensive technical support provided through the FAO Technical Cooperation Project on cattle Feedlot Farm Estates, as well as the FAO-UNIDO-supported coconut value chain programme.
These initiatives have produced detailed economic, financial and feasibility analyses aimed at attracting private and multilateral investment.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, stated that the roundtable was designed to move beyond policy discussions to practical, bankable investments.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Audu, Olusanya described the gathering as a “matchmaking platform” connecting financiers with viable agribusiness projects capable of driving productivity, industrialisation and employment.
She noted that Lagos is one of Nigeria’s largest consumer markets for beef, with FAO-supported assessments estimating an annual demand of approximately 1.87 million herds of cattle.
However, local production remains significantly below demand, with supply largely dependent on inflows from outside the state.
On coconut production, Olusanya highlighted Lagos’ comparative advantage, accounting for about 60 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic output.
Despite this, Nigeria continues to import large volumes of coconut products, presenting opportunities for import substitution, value addition and climate-smart agro-processing.
She added that Lagos offers investors a large consumer market, improving infrastructure, an active private sector and strong government commitment to reforms that support sustainable agribusiness growth.
The FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Hussein Gadain, represented by FAO Programme Officer Mr Tofiq Braimah, described Lagos as strategic to Nigeria’s food security and agricultural transformation.
According to him, Lagos’ role as an innovation hub and gateway to regional and global markets positions the state to drive agricultural modernisation, youth employment and inclusive economic growth.
He stated that the FAO-backed investment analyses across coconut, livestock and feedlot systems were designed to attract responsible investment, create decent jobs for young people and strengthen value chains in line with climate-smart and sustainable development goals.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr Emmanuel Audu, represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Rasheed Macaulay, stated that the state was ready to translate policy frameworks into investment-driven outcomes.
He added that the FAO partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a modern, competitive and investment-ready agri-food economy capable of supporting livelihoods and food security in Lagos and beyond.
Source: NAN
Image Credit: FAO Nigeria
