Lagos, Nigeria (March 9, 2025) – The Lagos State Government has revealed why locally produced rice from the Imota Rice Mill is rarely seen in the market. According to the government, the main reasons for the scarcity are the actions of some individuals who are sabotaging the system and the shortage of rice paddies in the country.
Gbenga Omotosho, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, explained that some people are purchasing the rice produced at the state’s Imota Rice Mill, re-bagging it with foreign rice labels, and selling it outside the state. He further stated that the scarcity of rice paddies in the country, exacerbated by climate change and other environmental factors, has limited the ability of the Imota Mill to produce enough rice to meet local demand.
The Imota Rice Mill, located in Lagos, was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023. It is considered one of the largest rice mills in the world, with a capacity to produce 2.5 million bags of 50kg rice every year. The mill’s operations are expected to generate over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, benefiting the state and the wider Nigerian economy.
The Dream of Self-Sufficiency in Rice Production
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier described the rice mill as an important milestone in Lagos’ agricultural development. He highlighted that the facility, with its advanced production capacity, covers 8.5 hectares of land and requires over 240,000 metric tonnes of paddy (unprocessed rice) annually to produce the 2.5 million bags of rice.
In theory, the rice mill should be enough to meet the rice needs of Lagos, but in practice, the situation has been more complicated. Despite the mill’s large capacity, Lagos residents have not been able to find large quantities of rice produced at the facility in local markets.
Omotosho explained that the state government is working hard to ensure that Lagosians have enough rice. However, he pointed out the critical challenges of inadequate paddies and the actions of those he referred to as “saboteurs.” These individuals buy rice from the Imota mill, re-bag it under foreign labels, and then smuggle it out of the state for sale at higher prices. This illegal activity, Omotosho said, has made it difficult for Lagosians to access rice at affordable prices.
Challenges in Paddy Supply
The shortage of paddies, the raw material used in rice production, has been one of the most significant challenges for the Imota Rice Mill. Omotosho explained that Nigeria’s changing climate has negatively affected rice farming across the country. Farmers have faced unpredictable weather patterns, and many rice farms have been unable to produce enough paddies to meet the demand of rice mills.
“Due to climate change and other environmental factors, the amount of paddies we need to meet the mill’s capacity is not readily available,” Omotosho said. “Across Nigeria, many small-scale mills are also struggling to source enough paddy to keep their operations running.”
The shortage of paddies is not just affecting Lagos State but is a nationwide issue that affects all rice mills in the country. As a result, many mills, including the Imota Rice Mill, are unable to reach their full production potential, which further limits the amount of locally-produced rice in circulation.
Sabotage of Local Rice Production
The commissioner was also critical of the actions of certain individuals he described as saboteurs. These saboteurs purchase locally produced rice from the Imota Rice Mill, repackage it as foreign rice, and then sell it outside Lagos. This illegal practice not only deprives Lagos residents of access to affordable rice, but it also contributes to a rise in the price of rice in the state.
“It is very unfortunate that people are taking advantage of this situation by buying rice produced in our own mill and passing it off as imported rice,” Omotosho said. “This is hurting Lagosians and making it difficult for us to meet the rice demand in the state.”
Omotosho’s comments are a warning about the dangers of economic sabotage and how it impacts the efforts of the government to provide affordable food for its citizens. He urged the public to be more mindful of such practices and to support the local rice industry to ensure the sustainability of rice production in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Government Efforts to Address the Issues
The Lagos State Government has acknowledged the challenges of rice production and is taking steps to address them. The government has partnered with private rice mills to subsidize the cost of rice for the most vulnerable members of society. This has helped to ensure that at least some segments of the population can access rice at affordable prices.
Additionally, the government is working to boost local rice production by providing support to farmers and improving agricultural infrastructure. There are efforts to enhance rice farming in the state, including training farmers, providing better seeds, and improving irrigation systems. The goal is to increase the supply of paddies and reduce the state’s reliance on imports.
Omotosho assured residents that the Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring that the state’s rice mill operates at full capacity and that residents can access affordable, locally-produced rice. He called for more support from the public and private sectors to help build a sustainable rice industry in the state.
Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Future for Lagos Rice
Despite the current challenges, there is hope for the future of rice production in Lagos. The Imota Rice Mill, with its state-of-the-art technology and production capacity, holds great potential to meet the rice needs of Lagos and beyond. However, this will only be possible if the state can address the issues of paddy shortages and sabotage.
The government’s ongoing efforts to support local farmers and improve production practices are steps in the right direction. If successful, Lagos could become a major player in the nation’s rice industry, reducing its dependence on imported rice and creating more job opportunities for its citizens.
In the meantime, residents of Lagos will have to wait for the rice produced at the Imota Mill to become more widely available in local markets. The government remains committed to making this a reality, but it will require collective effort from all stakeholders to make it happen.
As Omotosho concluded, “We are doing our best to make sure that Lagosians have enough rice, but we need the cooperation of everyone to make sure that our local rice industry thrives.”
