The Federal Government, in partnership with development partners, has intensified efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, a flagship agricultural initiative expected to generate more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in each project location across Nigeria.
The renewed commitment was reaffirmed during the SAPZ Programme Mid-Term Review Workshop held in Abuja, where stakeholders assessed progress under the programme’s first phase and discussed measures to address implementation challenges.
Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the SAPZ Programme as a key pillar of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda and an important component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Ogunbiyi, the initiative is designed not only to increase agricultural production but also to transform the sector into a competitive, value-driven industry capable of driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, improving food security and increasing export earnings.
He explained that the programme seeks to tackle persistent challenges affecting Nigeria’s agricultural value chains, including poor market access, inadequate processing infrastructure, weak storage systems, limited value addition and high post-harvest losses.
The SAPZ Programme is expected to establish integrated agro-industrial hubs that connect farmers with processors, markets and supporting infrastructure, thereby improving productivity and strengthening agricultural value chains.
Stakeholders at the review workshop emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, private sector investors and development partners to ensure the successful delivery of the programme’s objectives.
With implementation gathering momentum, the Federal Government believes the SAPZ initiative will play a significant role in modernising Nigeria’s agricultural sector, enhancing rural development and creating sustainable economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
