The Permanent Secretary, Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, says the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZ, Programme is a key model for agricultural industrialisation, food systems transformation and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.
Dr. Ogunbiyi stated this at the meeting of the Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee on the SAPZ Programme held in Abuja.
He said the initiative is expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses, boost productivity, attract private sector investment, create sustainable jobs for youths and women, strengthen food security, improve rural incomes and drive inclusive economic growth across participating states and the country.
Dr. Ogunbiyi said that “the SAPZ initiative seeks to establish integrated agro-industrial hubs with critical infrastructure such as roads, power, water supply, storage facilities, logistics systems, and processing centers located close to areas of high agricultural production.’
He stressed that it would also transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape by moving the country from the export of raw agricultural commodities to agro-industrial processing, value addition, and market-driven agricultural development.
Transformation initiative
He said that the SAPZ Programme represents one of the most strategic agricultural and economic transformation initiatives of the Nigerian Government.
The Permanent Secretary said that ‘’It is a flagship programme jointly financed by the Nigerian Government, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), with strong collaboration from participating State Governments and private sector stakeholders.”
He stated that ‘’the SAPZ Programme presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reposition agriculture as a business-driven and industrialised sector capable of driving national development, generating employment, and increasing competitiveness within regional and global markets’’
He emphasised that ‘’the Programme aligns strongly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration and the Nigerian Government’s commitment to achieving food security, economic diversification, import substitution, and rural industrialization. SAPZ is not merely an infrastructure project; it is a strategic platform for transforming rural communities into Centers of economic prosperity and industrial growth.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the ministry as the coordinating Ministry to provide the necessary leadership, policy coordination, and enabling environment required for the successful implementation of the Programme.
In addition, achieving the objectives of SAPZ requires strong institutional collaboration, technical synergy, and sustained inter-agency coordination.
He stated the need to strengthen technical coordination and collaboration among relevant MDAs, Development Partners, and key stakeholders for the effective implementation of the SAPZ Programme.
Institutional support
He urged members of the Committee to continue to provide the highest level of technical expertise and institutional support.
Dr Ogunbiyi lauded the Development Partners namely AfDB, IFAD, IsDB, and all collaborating institutions for their unwavering support, partnership, and sustained confidence in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
In her welcome address, Director, Federal Department of Development Partners Projects, Dr. Mrs. Iluromi Adebola said that “the SAPZ Programme remains a strategic intervention aimed at transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through value addition, agro-industrialization, private sector investment, and rural economic development.’’
Dr Adebola noted that ‘’the role of this Committee is therefore critical in ensuring effective coordination, policy alignment, and timely resolution of implementation challenges.’’
She said that ‘’our discussions today will further strengthen inter-agency collaboration and advance the collective objective of delivering sustainable agricultural transformation and food security for our nation’’.
During his presentation, the National Program Coordinator, Dr. Kabir Yusuf stated that ‘’the SAPZ is a cross-cutting platform to attract private sector investment into value added agro-processing to unlock opportunities for improved food security, job creation, export earnings, rural poverty reduction and increased contribution of agriculture to national GDP.’’
Dr. Yusuf added that ‘’the Program Development Objective is to support inclusive and sustainable agro industrial development in Nigeria, aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy through agriculture and reduction of food import bill.”
