From city streets to farm fresh: GIFSEP’s urban farming revolution in Nigeria

Stanley Ihedigbo

The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has introduced urban farming as a solution to Nigeria’s pressing food security challenges.

With the country’s urban population rapidly growing, urban farming offers a sustainable way to increase food production, reduce reliance on imported goods, and provide fresh produce to city dwellers.

Speaking at a one-day seminar organised by the group in Lagos, themed: ‘Stakeholders dialogue on the Right to Food Act in Lagos’, the Team Lead, Michael Terungwa David, explained that urban farming helps supply fresh produce to urban populations, reducing reliance on transported food and enhancing food availability.

He further explained that rooftop gardening and vertical farming transform underutilized spaces into productive green areas, maximizing space utilization.

“Urban farming promotes environmentally friendly practices, reducing resource usage and environmental impact. Ideal for growing vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs, utilizing unused rooftop spaces.

“Affordable and beginner-friendly, using buckets, plastic containers, or recycled items to grow crops in small spaces. Growing plants in stacked layers to maximize space, is perfect for leafy greens and strawberries. A sustainable method combining fish farming and plant cultivation, promoting closed-loop ecosystems,” he said.

He noted that a group of women turned their backyards into productive vegetable gardens, supplying fresh produce to local markets and earning additional income.

“An entrepreneur set up a rooftop hydroponic system to grow lettuce and herbs, supplying high-end restaurants in the city. A community converted a vacant plot into a thriving urban farm, providing food and employment opportunities to residents.

“GIFSEP’s urban farming initiative aims to empower Nigerians with sustainable food production skills, enhancing food security and promoting environmentally friendly practices. By adopting urban farming methods, individuals and communities can contribute to a more food-secure and sustainable future,” he emphasized.

He further noted that Lagos has the highest number of food-insecure people in Nigeria. Citing a 2022 report,

According to him, over 1.78 million individuals in the state are currently food insecure.

“Despite numerous efforts, challenges such as poverty, high food costs, unemployment, and limited access to nutritious food persist, especially in urban areas,” he said.

David further emphasized that Lagos’ role as Nigeria’s economic hub makes food security in the state critical to national stability.

“Food security in Lagos is not just about feeding the population—it’s about public health, social stability, and the sustainability of Nigeria’s entire food system,” he added.

He further highlighted the significance of the Right to Food Act, describing it as a transformative shift in Nigeria’s approach to food security.

“Food security is an outcome, but the right to food is the legal and moral foundation to achieve it. Today’s dialogue marks a key step in ensuring this right becomes a lived reality for every Nigerian.”

David called for urgent multi-stakeholder collaboration to address rising food insecurity, climate change, and economic pressures while building strong governance structures to implement the Right to Food Act effectively.

In her remarks, Director of the Fresh Food Hub at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food System, Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, said the state government continued to support farmers, but many of these interventions failed to yield lasting impact.

“Too often, we return to sites of government intervention one or two years later and find little trace of progress,” she said.

She stressed that while government support is crucial, it is not sustainable for farmers to expect ongoing assistance indefinitely.

She argued that the role of government is to empower farmers—not to farm directly—to ensure consistent food availability across the country.

She further explained that food adulteration is a growing concern and urged Nigerians—especially farmers—to take personal responsibility.

“Everyone must play a role in ensuring food availability. Accountability starts with each of us. As a government official, I am accountable for what I’m assigned to do. Farmers must also be accountable for how they use the support provided,” she said.

She added, “A lot of adulteration is going on in the food industry. When you compromise on food quality, should we blame the government for that too?”

The Director also challenged Nigerians to shift their mindset, emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility over sole reliance on government.

“Many Nigerians are quick to blame the government, but accountability starts at the individual level. Patriotism and integrity must begin with the citizens. When the average Nigerian does the right thing, the government will be compelled to act responsibly too,” she noted.

She also praised the Ogbenge Women group for effectively managing the support they received, while questioning whether the same could be said of other beneficiaries across Lagos. She encouraged Oxfam to revisit its implementation strategies for better impact.

The event was supported by Oxfam in Nigeria under its Together Against Poverty (TAP) project. The initiative leverages Oxfam’s global network to push for international development commitments and more effective donor and national policies that prioritize smallholder-led agricultural transformation.