Lagos State Launches Fortified 'Eko Rice' to Combat Malnutrition

The Lagos State Government has achieved a significant milestone in its food security and nutritional agenda with the commissioning of a rice fortification equipment and the official launch of Fortified Eko Rice at the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota. This initiative, championed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, positions the Imota mill among the few in Nigeria with the capacity for large-scale rice fortification. The move is a strategic intervention designed to address the persistent challenge of micronutrient deficiencies and rising malnutrition across the state.

The newly fortified rice is enriched with a crucial mix of essential micronutrients, including iron, zinc, folic acid, and B Vitamins (specifically B1, B3, B6, and B12). Dr. Fashola stated that this achievement was made possible by the Governor's visionary leadership in enhancing food sustainability and quality. He emphasised that by fortifying Eko Rice, the state is not only meeting the burgeoning local demand for the staple grain but also directly improving the nutritional profile of the food available to its citizens. This enhancement is crucial, as rice is the most consumed staple food in the state.

​This project represents a crucial step in the state’s continuous effort to improve the quality and nutritional value of food products originating from the Imota mill, which is already one of the largest in Africa. By incorporating fortification into the milling process, the government is ensuring that a staple food consumed daily by millions acts as a vehicle for delivering essential vitamins and minerals, helping to prevent deficiencies like anaemia. This commitment aligns Lagos with surging global efforts to use low-cost nutritional interventions to enhance public health.

​The government plans to leverage this new product, with Dr. Fashola disclosing that the fortified rice will be integrated into the state’s existing school feeding programme. This strategic inclusion is aimed at supporting vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, and the elderly who are most susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies. The decision reflects a focused, data-driven approach to tackling malnutrition from the ground up, ensuring that the next generation has access to the foundational nutrition required for healthy development.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Lagos State Government assured residents that it will continue to develop programmes, policies, and support systems aimed at protecting young people. The state urged students to stay focused, make responsible choices, and take advantage of available counselling and support platforms to build a drug-free future.