An agro-allied firm Origin Tech Group has partnered with the Lagos State Government to construct four additional middle-level food hubs to enhance food security and reduce costs in the state.

In a statement, the Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group, S.J. Samuel alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Park in Epe, said Lagosians could expect a significant reduction in food prices as the project sets to achieve food security.

He added the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Park, spearheaded by Origin Tech Group, was on track to become Africa’s largest agribusiness hub and the second largest globally after Rungis in France.

Samuel hailed Sanwo-Olu for his dedication to the project before the current food crisis in the country, saying, “Two years ago, this project was flagged off as if we knew there was going to be a food crisis in Nigeria. Mr Governor believed in the project and poured all his energy into it.”

He added that Lagosians could expect a significant reduction in food prices.

“This project will drive the cost of food down by more than 50 per cent when completed. Already, food prices in Lagos are dropping by 15-20 per cent due to ongoing efforts,” he stated.

The project includes a jetty to facilitate efficient transportation of food items across Lagos using waterways.

“The idea is to leverage Lagos’ God-given asset—water—to move produce easily. Studies and designs for the jetty are completed, and construction will commence soon,” Samuel said.

Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the site which spans 220 hectares, described it as a landmark effort to address food challenges in the state.

“What we saw at Idi-Oro, we are replicating in four places concurrently: Ajah, Agege, Oregun, and Ikorodu. The one in Ajah is nearing completion,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to food security, noting, “This project is part of our vision to transform the Ministry of Agriculture into the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems. Lagosians deserve initiatives like this.”

The facility includes a dry store equivalent to 11 football fields and the continent’s largest abattoir, designed to process 14,000 cattle on 1,000 hectares.

The first phase of the park is set to be completed by the second quarter of 2025, ahead of Sanwo-Olu’s second anniversary in office.

Once operational, the park and its satellite hubs are expected to revolutionise food distribution, reduce wastage, and stabilise food prices in Lagos and its environs.