The Lagos State Government has expressed its readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) to advance food processing, value addition, MSME development, trade and investment promotion, as well as technology and innovation.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, stated this during a courtesy visit by the leadership of NIFST to the Ministry on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Represented by the Director of the Agribusiness Support Unit, Muminat Osiefa-Atitebi, the commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to making food and food-related enterprises a priority, stressing the importance of food processing and commercialisation to economic growth.
She said greater support for MSMEs and agripreneurs would create new opportunities, encourage patronage of locally made products and strengthen the state’s economy.
Ambrose-Medebem proposed the establishment of a formal partnership between the Ministry and NIFST through a Memorandum of Understanding, subject to the submission of a formal proposal by the institute.
She also advocated specialised capacity-building programmes for MSMEs, agripreneurs and other interested participants, as well as the appointment of a liaison officer to improve communication and coordination between both institutions.
Earlier, NIFST President, Dr. Bola Osinowo, described the institute as the professional body representing food science and technology practitioners in Nigeria.
Osinowo disclosed that NIFST will mark its 50th anniversary in October alongside its fifth conference, Eko 2026, scheduled for October 12 to 16, under the theme, “Transforming Food Research into Enterprise through Innovation and Commercialisation for Sustainable Development.”
He said the Governor of Lagos State would serve as Chief Host of the conference and appealed for the state government’s support, including the provision of BRT buses to facilitate transportation for participants.
The NIFST President also expressed the institute’s willingness to collaborate with the Lagos State Government on food-related initiatives, particularly in food processing, safety, quality control, regulation and food security.
The Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Ubany Taiwo Olubunmi, said the institute remained committed to translating research outcomes into commercially viable enterprises.
The Lagos Chapter Chairperson, Kikelomo Amoreoluwa, also highlighted the chapter’s food safety advocacy, public education and market monitoring activities, expressing readiness to partner with the Ministry’s Agribusiness Support Unit.
Former NIFST President, Sola Olawale, disclosed that the institute was developing an academy to address knowledge and skills gaps in food science and enterprise development.
He also called for an exhibition dedicated to made-in-Nigeria products to enable businesses to showcase their products and connect with potential markets and investors.
The engagement concluded with the presentation of NIFST publications to the Ministry, reinforcing both institutions’ commitment to promoting food processing, enterprise development, local production and sustainable economic growth.
