By Abbas Nazil
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme will transform Nigeria’s agriculture, drive innovation, and deliver inclusive prosperity across the country.
Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Shettima made the statement during the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the SAPZ Programme held recently in Ijaiye, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He emphasised that the SAPZ is more than just an infrastructural project, describing it as a bold step towards converting Nigeria’s vast agricultural resources into value-added products, stimulating local economies, and creating jobs.
According to him, the project will empower farmers and agro-processors while positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global agricultural market.
He noted that the programme is one of the pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is designed to restore national dignity, unlock economic potential, and create broad-based opportunities.
The event was marked by the official flag-off by the Minister of Agriculture and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Shettima commended Governor Makinde’s leadership, describing his commitment as instrumental to achieving development milestones in the state.
He further explained that SAPZ is a joint effort involving the Federal Government, state governments, and global development partners.
These include the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), who are contributing technical and financial support to ensure the programme’s success.
Shettima stated that SAPZ represents a united approach to sustainable agriculture through partnerships, innovation, and inclusiveness.
He also shared that during the recent United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nigeria showcased SAPZ as its flagship agricultural investment initiative, reaffirming food production as a national priority.
At the summit, he held bilateral talks with IFAD President, Dr. Alvaro Lario, seeking additional financing to expand productivity across participating states.
The Vice President disclosed that the Federal Government plans to onboard 27 more states into the SAPZ initiative in phases.
Ten of these states will be included by the first quarter of 2026, subject to financing arrangements between the government and its partners.
This expansion is aimed at spreading the economic benefits of agro-industrial development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Shettima concluded that SAPZ is a testament to the administration’s resolve to modernise agriculture, reduce poverty, and build a self-sufficient and resilient economy that benefits all Nigerians.
