Africa’s largest Food Hub,  Psychiatric Hospital set for launch next year – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced on Saturday that the Lagos Central Food Security Systems, Logistics Park, and the 500-bed Psychiatric Hospital under construction in Epe will be completed by next year.

Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during a working visit to the projects, revealing that the Food Security Systems and Logistics Park would be ready by the second quarter of 2025, while the Psychiatric Hospital would be completed by the fourth quarter of next year.

Regarding the food hub, Sanwo-Olu shared its origins, stating, “This project was envisioned five years ago when we recognised that, even though Lagos is not an agro-producing state, we must take control of our future. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 taught us a valuable lesson, as we witnessed a global disruption in food supply chains. At that time, many had nothing in their homes and had to pray for sustenance.”

He continued, “The disruption of global food supply chains made us realise that Lagos should become a major food logistics hub to protect itself from food insecurity. We declared then that food is security, and now, we can see that the decision we made three years ago was right.”

Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the logistics hub, which will cover over 230 hectares of land (approximately 5,000 square metres), will be the largest food logistics centre in Sub-Saharan Africa, featuring both cold and dry chain storage.

Shifting to the 500-bed Psychiatric Hospital, Sanwo-Olu noted its significance in advancing mental health care in the region. “This psychiatric facility is the first of its kind in Lagos State. It is a mental health institute and psychiatric rehabilitation centre located in Ketu Ejinrin, just adjacent to the food and logistics hub. It will be the largest psychiatric rehabilitation centre in Sub-Saharan Africa. Phase one includes a 500-bed health facility, complete with various accommodation options, consultation rooms, dormitories, dining areas, kitchens, and staff residences.”

The Governor continued, “This facility covers 25 hectares of land and is a massive health institute. Given the rising challenges in mental health, we believe this first-class institute will make a real difference. It will offer psychotherapy and psycho-rehabilitation in a serene and therapeutic environment.”

Sanwo-Olu also outlined plans for phase two, which will expand patient accommodations and provide additional rehabilitation services.

“We expect phase one to be fully operational by next year. The project is already 50% complete, and we are confident it will be finished within the next 12 months. I am impressed with the progress made by the contractors, who are constructing bungalows due to the specific nature of the facility,” he said.