Vice President Kashim Shettima officially launched the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Cross River State on Tuesday, a flagship federal project designed to boost agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
The ceremony, attended by African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina and Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, marks the first phase of Nigeria’s broader plan to establish agro-industrial hubs across seven states.
Funded through a $538 million partnership between the AfDB, Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic diversification.
Shettima described the project as a “critical intervention” for achieving national food security, noting its potential to attract private-sector investment, create jobs, and modernise farming practices. Governor Otu confirmed the state’s commitment to providing infrastructure and incentives for agro-processing firms, with priority given to cassava, rice, and poultry value chains.
The Cross River SAPZ, spanning 300 hectares in the Odukpani Local Government Area, is expected to be fully operational by 2026. Similar zones are under development in Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, and the Federal Capital Territory.
In his remarks, Otu echoed the vice president’s sentiments, emphasising that the SAPZ project perfectly fits his prosperity agenda.
He expressed his confidence in the success of the project, assuring stakeholders that it will benefit agricultural regions in Cross River—including Ikom, Yala, Obanliku, Obubra, and others—by transforming them into key hubs for agricultural productivity and industrial growth.
Otu further highlighted that the project is not just about the present but is designed for long-term prosperity, creating new pathways for growth and economic diversification across the state.
AfDB’s Adesina, in a passionate address, expressed his pride in seeing the SAPZ vision come to life after years of challenges in implementation. He emphasised the economic potential of SAPZs, particularly in creating jobs, reducing food imports, and fostering private investments.
Adesina also highlighted Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential, calling for a united effort to achieve food self-sufficiency and leadership in agricultural exports. He credited the strong political will from Tinubu, the support from Shettima, and the collaboration between key ministers as vital factors driving the success of the SAPZ initiative.
Meanwhile, Senators and members of the House of Representatives from the North-east geopolitical zone yesterday lamented the exclusion of their region from the federal government’s $530 million SAPZ projects.
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