We need more foodtechs to improve Nigeria’s food security, distribution – Lagos commissioner

• At the inaugural PricePally Impact Summit held in Lagos, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, called on startups to provide more scalable, tech-driven solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain
• Stakeholders present at the summit also talked the need for digital platforms, grassroots empowerment, and inclusive strategies to build a sustainable food system
• The summit ended with PricePally recognising outstanding farms for their contributions to the ecosystem

With the growing impact of technology on the food and agriculture sectors in Nigeria, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Honourable Abisola Olusanya, has called for more commitment from startups and businesses.

She made this known at the inaugural PricePally Impact Summit, held on May 22 and 23, 2025, in Lagos, noting that more initiatives like PricePally which offer scalable, practical solutions to systemic challenges across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, are needed.

The summit, which centred on the future of sustainable, affordable and accessible fresh foods in Nigeria, summit gathered stakeholders from every link of the food system, including farmers, policymakers, agritech entrepreneurs, financiers, food business owners, and distribution experts to examine how Nigeria can build a food system that not only feeds its population sustainably but also drives economic empowerment from the grassroots up.

Olusanya underscored the significance of digital platforms and community-driven distribution models in navigating disruptions like COVID-19, which exposed the fragility of traditional food supply chains. “When you have the likes of PricePally who are able to plug the gap between farmers and consumers in such difficult times, it creates an enabling environment for food producers and maximum value for buyers. These are the right set of businesses the government wants to support,” she stated.

PricePally CEO Luther Lawoyin echoed this sentiment, stating the company’s vision of a food system where farmers are not marginalised but celebrated as wealth creators. “It’s hard to be a farmer in Nigeria, and we want to change that narrative. A farmer should be comfortable and prosperous, not a slave to the land. They are the foundation of what we do at PricePally,” Lawoyin said.

Thought leaders including Michael Akinsete, Michael Ogundare, Vera Ihenacho, Femi Adekoya, Maureen Unogu, Samson Ogbole, and Continental Adetiloye, Chef Gibbs, Bola Lawal, Edward Abira, and Rasheed Olaoluwa emphasised that Nigeria needs to pay more attention to distribution and scalability challenge, and that food security must become a shared, strategic priority.

Other speakers at the event also spotlighted the role of women and youth in leading agricultural innovation. From engaging Northern women through agri-call centres to adopting urban-friendly farming practices like soilless agriculture, the sessions showcased inclusive strategies for a more resilient food future.

The event concluded with PricePally honouring Mariam Farm, Professional Farm Support Vegetables and Olafem Farm, among others, for their invaluable contribution to the food ecosystem.

“I didn’t believe I could win an award. PricePally has shown me love and made me feel special,” Mariam Tolani of Mariam Farm remarked, and other participants echoed that “if farmers could have more PricePally in this industry, everyone would venture into farming.”

Tinubu pledges to boost food production, reduce inflation to 15% in 2025

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu assured of his administration’s commitment to boosting food production and reducing inflation from the current 34.60 per cent to 15 per cent in 2025.

Tinubu stated this in his New Year message to Nigerians on January 1 and reassured that the government’s policies aim to bring relief to the citizens.

The president also highlighted economic growth indicators recorded in 2024, including lower fuel prices, rising foreign reserves, and a stronger naira, adding that the progress would continue into 2025.