Lagos: The Lagos State Government has trained rice millers and regulators on rice biofortification to boost food security. The training, organised by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, was held at Imota, Ikorodu, on Thursday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training aimed to improve the quality and nutritional value of rice produced in the state. In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-olu on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing both the quantity and quality of rice production. Fashola expressed gratitude to the organisers and partners for choosing the Lagos State Rice Company Ltd. as the host for this essential training session.
Fashola highlighted the role of the Lagos State Rice Company Ltd. in driving the development of the rice value chain, mentioning their premium products, Eko Rice Farm Fresh and Eko Rice Classic. He also announced the official inclusion of Eko Fortified Rice
in their product offerings. The fortified rice facility at the mill was installed in December 2025 with the support of development partners, including TechnoServe, the World Food Programme, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
He noted that producing quality fortified rice requires collective efforts from all players across the subsector, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among millers, regulators, the government, and various stakeholders. The joint participation of millers and regulatory agencies in the training is considered crucial for enhancing operational practices, compliance, and quality control, ultimately ensuring safer and more nutritious rice for consumers.
Fashola urged participants to actively engage in the training, share experiences, and apply the lessons learned to improve rice production in the state. He also appreciated the regulatory agencies for maintaining standards and ensuring consumer safety, while expressing optimism for continued collaboration with development partner
s.
He concluded by encouraging all participants to make effective use of the training, engage openly, and implement the day’s lessons into their daily operations, reinforcing Lagos’s role as a leading rice-producing state and a primary centre of food consumption in Nigeria.