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LAGOS – Inspire Lagos Food Market, has in one year provided subsidised food items to over 25,000 people across different communities in Lagos State, at a time when rising food prices continue to deepen hardship for millions of Nigerians.
Abiola Adebajo, Convener of the initiative in an interview with Daily Independent at the Zero Hunger Bootcamp, Inspire Volunteers General Assembly, held in Alausa Lagos, organised as part of activities lined up to mark the one year anniversary of the initiative with the theme; “Global Standards & Local Action for Ending Hunger and Food Insecurity through Volunteering” said that the Inspire food market is a flagship initiative of the Inspire project, launched in August 2024 to address food insecurity in the country.
According to him, by organising 50 percent food subsidy markets rotationally across multiple states and local government areas, the initiative offer essential food items at half their price to support thousands of families in need.
“We achieve this by collaborating with government bodies, NGOs, local brands, companies vendors and corporate organisations .
This project according to him not only provides affordable food but also strengthens communities through sustainable partners and long-term empowerment, stressing that, the initiative started as a modest plan to serve between 1,000 and 2,000 people but has grown into a lifeline for thousands.
“At the end of the day, we get up to 5,000, sometimes 4,000, showing up at markets. People are able to buy everything they want rice, yam, beans, vegetable oil, eggs, bread, chicken, beef, noodles, spaghetti — all at half the price. Seeing people happy, being able to feed well is actually the dream coming true, and we thank God for that.”
Explaining how the model is sustained, Adebajo said: “We basically ride on the backbone of a concept called public-private partnership. We come together with private organizations, companies, even philanthropists, and we depend on them to support what we’re doing. That way, we’re able to raise subsidy funds that we take to the market.
“Our vendors come to supply the food, but they don’t make any loss, because they get their money in full despite the fact that people are buying at half price.
Looking back on what inspired the initiative, Adebajo recalled, “It was an idea that came from the place of personal experience. I began to think about how people are coping, because food is really expensive due to the harsh economy we have.
So, we thought to ourselves, instead of complaining, let us do something. Many people continue to complain that the government is not doing this or that, but there’s a lot that the private sector can do as well. There’s a lot that we people can come together and do for ourselves, and that is what we have done.”
Chude Jideonwo, one of the speakers at the bootcamp stressed the importance of such grassroots action.
“If immediate intervention isn’t taken, we’re about to have a true famine in certain parts of the country. That’s sad because it’s the fundamental thing that human beings should have before clothing, before housing — just food. And we have a food crisis as a country. Much of the gaps are being filled by private sector and advocacy institutions. To that extent, Inspire’s work is very crucial.”
“A person, who cannot eat is the most severe case of lack that our society can have. You can only give loans or skills training to people who have eaten. So their work is fundamental,” he added.
Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, also commended the initiative. “It’s the one-year anniversary of Inspire Food Market and it means so many things. When we see young people gathering together like this to make an impact not only in the state, but in the nation, as a government we must come closer to them, hold their hands, and say we are partners in progress.
“We can’t do it alone as a government and there is power in collaboration. Sometimes it’s not really about funding. It could be infrastructure, it could be location, it could be more volunteers, or even just the fact that they need the government to recognize them, which will give them access to more support.
On the way forward, he said: “We need more of Inspire Food Market to spring up, not only in Lagos but all over Nigeria. Hunger is real. The government cannot do it alone. We need more organizations like this to come up, let us recognize each other, let us work together. Collaboration is key to reaching the nooks and crannies of Lagos.”
Michael Sunbola, Executive Director of Lagos Food Bank, also underlined the humanitarian spirit driving the initiative.
“The world is not complete without those who are willing to give themselves out to help others. There will always be the rich and the poor, the strong and the vulnerable. Those who give themselves to balance these inequalities are the humanitarians and the volunteers.
“That’s what this food camp is about — a congregation of compassionate people who have committed themselves to humanity.”
On addressing food insecurity, Sunbola said that, “The government is trying their best with agricultural policies and support to farmers. Before long-term results are achieved, there must be short-term interventions that address immediate needs. Supporting initiatives on the ground that are reaching the grassroots will reduce tension and give people strength to face the future,” he added.