Commissioning and Handing over of 6 Metric Tons Storage Facility to Mile 12 International Market Association
Oru Leonard
In continuation of NACCIMA’s partnership with the German Development Agency (GIZ) and the ECOWAS Commission on the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Project, we moved today, Thursday, 26th February 2026, to the Mile 12 International Market where the GIZ under the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme officially commissioned and handed over a 6 Metric Ton Cold Storage Facility to the Mile 12 International Market Association at the Mile 12 International Market, Lagos.
The commissioning ceremony marked a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance cross-border trade efficiency within the ECOWAS region. The intervention forms part of GIZ’s broader commitment to supporting smallholder farmers, traders, and market associations with sustainable, demand-driven infrastructure that improves product quality, storage capacity, and market competitiveness.
The 6 Metric Ton Cold Storage Facility is designed to preserve perishable agricultural produce, particularly fruits and vegetables, thereby extending shelf life, stabilizing prices, and minimizing losses caused by inadequate storage systems. This initiative is expected to significantly benefit traders operating within the Mile 12 market cluster, many of whom are actively engaged in regional agricultural trade.
In his remarks at the event, Opening remarks by the Consul General of the German Embassy in Lagos, Mr. Daniel Krull emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with market associations and private sector such as the as the Mile 12 international market in driving inclusive trade development. He further noted that the German government will continue to work with Mile 12 international market to improve food security.
Alh. Shehu Usman Jubril, Chairman of the Mile 12 International Market Association expressed appreciation for the intervention and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring proper management, maintenance, and sustainability of the facility for the collective benefit of members.
The commissioning and handover ceremony was done through symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the formal transfer of the facility to the leadership of the Mile 12 International Market Association, marking the official commencement of operations.
The NACCIMA DG, Sola Obadimu also enjoined the Market Association to take care in maintaining the facility to optimise their gains through reduced loss of agriculture produce. He expressed appreciation to the GIZ through the German Consul-General present. He expressed pride in NACCIMA’s as a credible member of the tripartite partnership that is focussed on empowering cross-border traders and the exercise which began in Lagos last month and scheduled to continue in Kano in April later this year.
The event was attended by key stakeholders from the agricultural and trade ecosystem, further underscoring the collaborative approach required to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in regional agricultural trade under the ECOWAS framework. Notable attendees include but not limited to Mr. Daniel Krull, Consul General of the German Embassy in Lagos; Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State ably represented by Mrs. Ovie Egbo; Alh. Shehu Usman Jubril, Chairman of the Mile 12 International Market Association; Olusola Obadimu, DG, NACCIMA, Mr. Akeem Baiyewu, NIRSAL, Mr. Arne Schuffenhauer, Head of EAT Programme, Messrs. Kabir Hassan & Mr. Pascal Ononugbo who are both GIZ/EAT Private Sector Development Specialists and Willem Inya, EAT Project Manager at NACCIMA, etc.
The event concluded with feedbacks from representatives of participating organisations inclusive of NIRSAL, NACCIMA, BOA, Alternative Bank (non-interest subsidiary of Sterling Bank Group) and Wema Bank, etc.
(NACCIMA Secretariat, 26th February 2026)
