As the cheap food markets in Lagos open today, there’s excitement in the air.

The initiative was launched at 57 locations in the state on Sunday, March 17, 2024, with the intention of helping residents cope with the rising costs of food. Governor Sanwo-Olu, who announced the initiative in February, stated that the food markets would only be open on Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. This will provide an opportunity for residents to purchase essential food items at a lower cost, relieving some of the financial burden caused by increasing food prices.

The 57 markets set up by the Lagos State Government will provide residents with a convenient and cost-effective way of purchasing essential food items. These markets, located in strategic areas across the state, will offer a 25% discount on items such as rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper. This initiative, known as IBILE markets, was announced by Gbenga Omotoso, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, on Friday, March 15, 2024.

This voucher system will help to prevent fraud and ensure that the food reaches a larger number of people in Lagos. Independent payment solution providers and food vendors have been chosen for their reliability and will play an important role in ensuring the success of the program. Their involvement will also allow for real-time monitoring of the distribution process, ensuring transparency and accountability.

In order to ensure transparency and accountability, we have listed the prices of the items being sold. These prices have been carefully calculated and are subject to change based on market fluctuations. For example, a 5kg bag of rice is currently selling for ₦5,325, while 1kg is priced at ₦1,065. Similarly, a 5kg bag of beans is being sold for ₦6,225, with 1kg priced at ₦1,245. We will continue to provide updates on the prices of other staple food items through various media outlets. Additionally, we have designated 27 locations in Ikeja, six in Lagos Island, nine in Ikorodu, five in Epe, and 10 in Badagry divisions for market operations. We urge all Lagosians to support the operators at these locations, monitor the process, and provide feedback to the Lagos State Government through official channels.

Some of the discounted markets are located in various local government areas and local council development areas in Lagos, Nigeria. These include Agege LGA, Orile-Agege LCDA, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ikorodu LGA, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Ijede LCDA, Kosofe LGA, and Ikosi Isheri LCDA. Each location has a specific discounted market, such as Dairy Farm Secondary School in Agege LGA and St. Emmanuel Primary School in Kosofe LGA. These discounted markets offer a range of goods and services at lower prices, making them accessible to a wider population.