By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
In the light of increasing food prices and widespread hunger, the Inspire Lagos Food Market has landed in Shomolu local government srea, Lagos state in line with its expansion drive. The market aims to provide low-income earners with access to essential food items at half the usual price, easing the burden of high food costs on vulnerable households.
Organisers of the initiative plan to expand progressively across various local government areas in Lagos, with a mission to alleviate food insecurity and support struggling families.
Speaking on the passion behind the initiative, the Convener, Abiola Adebajo, emphasised the urgent need for affordable food options: “Hunger is real and food is extremely expensive. People have no choice but to buy food, even when prices are unbearable. We launched the Inspire Lagos Food Market as a 50 per cent food subsidy initiative for the masses. This is a place where everyone can benefit, regardless of social class. The reality is that even the average person has become impoverished by the rising cost of living.”
Adebajo further explained that the initiative relies on donations, sponsorships and support from individuals, including VIPs who generously contribute to the cause. “Through these contributions, we can cater to 2,000 to 5,000 people at each market event, enabling them to buy food at half the price. We’ve visited Ikeja, Surulere, Ifako-Ijaiye and now Shomolu. In April alone, we plan to hold markets in four different locations, including Kosofe and Egbe-Idimu. We are also excited to announce that a prominent celebrity will sponsor the Easter market.”
Highlighting the support from the local government, Adebajo praised the warm reception from Abdul Salawu, the Shomolu Local Government Chairman, who expressed enthusiasm for the project and its impact on the community.
On the strategy used to offer food at subsidised rates, Adebajo revealed that registered vendors supply food items in bulk based on the market’s budget. “For instance, if we have a budget of ₦15 million, we allocate funds for different items — ₦7 million for rice, ₦8 million for beans, and so on. Vendors sell these items at half the price, and we compensate them from the subsidy funds. This way, they make no losses, and the masses benefit,” he explained.
The Inspire Lagos Food Market operates on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, partnering with local governments to tackle food insecurity. Adebajo called on political figures, philanthropists and individuals to support the initiative, stating that, “even a small contribution can make a difference. We have a supporter who sends us money monthly, despite not living in Nigeria. Every little bit helps.”
Addressing residents of Shomolu, Adebajo expressed gratitude for their overwhelming turnout and assured them of the market’s return. “Congratulations to Shomolu residents! We are here today, and we’ll be back again. We appreciate everyone who came out to benefit from our 50 per cent food subsidy market.”
The Chairman of the LG, Salawu, said, “we recognise the urgent need to care for everyone in the local government area through this initiative brought by Inspire Lagos Food Market and they are extending beyond Shomolu. Many residents struggle to put food on the table, and the local government understood that swift action was necessary. This initiative was not just about numbers or policies; it was about people,families, children, and the elderly.
“Apart from this, in the LG, we are guided by the vision of a community-focused initiative, and whenever we see opportunity as a leader we embrace. When the idea came to partner with Inspire, we accepted; you can see the people are happy. The food market provided not just sustenance, but also a sense of community and created hope for residents.
“Moreover, Inspire contributed 25 per cent of the necessary resources, while the local government matched this with another 25 per cent to make the 50 per cent discounted price. The impact of this collaboration is clear as we witness Inspire Lagos and our local government coming together to achieve new goals. We are working to bring comfort to people through the provision of food at subsidised rate.”
The Supervisor for Agriculture and Community Development at Shomolu Local Government, Mr. Ayodele Coker, emphasised the importance of food security, noting that although Shomolu is an urban area with limited farmland, the local government sources food items in bulk from the North to sell at affordable prices.
“We are committed to ensuring that residents access food at reasonable rates by buying directly from rural farmers,” Coker stated.
With the Inspire Lagos Food Market gaining momentum, organisers remain optimistic that the initiative will continue to bridge the gap in food accessibility and tackle food insecurity across Lagos State.
Coker added that the local government must continue to support this initiative because it is essential to care for everyone, saying, “when the people are happy, we are happy too.”