Lagos, May 26, 2026
A former Managing Director of the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), Mr Dapo Olakulehin, has said that coconut production in Lagos State is still insufficient to meet rising local demand.
Olakulehin made this known in an interview, noting that despite significant growth in output over the years, consumption levels have continued to outpace supply.
He explained that growing awareness of the health benefits of coconuts and their derivatives has driven increased demand for both raw and processed coconut products.
According to him, production in Lagos has risen sharply from less than 100 metric tonnes between the 1950s and 1970s to about 290,000 metric tonnes in recent years.
However, he stressed that the state still relies on imports to bridge the supply gap.
Olakulehin attributed the shortfall to the rapid expansion of coconut-based industries and rising consumer preference for coconut products.
He noted that health-conscious lifestyles, including weight management programmes, have further boosted consumption.
He also revealed that many local processors depend heavily on imports from neighbouring countries such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to sustain production.
He said only about three out of every ten coconuts processed in Nigeria are locally sourced, while the rest are imported.
Olakulehin maintained that although production has improved, it has not kept pace with the growing industrial and consumer demand.
He added that the main challenge lies not in production capacity alone, but in the accelerating demand from both consumers and manufacturers.
He further stated that the Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to revitalise the coconut sector in response to expanding market opportunities.
According to him, coconut processing has now evolved beyond oil extraction to include products such as coconut flour and other health-oriented derivatives.
The former LASCODA boss concluded that stronger investment and improved supply chains are needed to close the widening demand gap.