Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme is being positioned as a major employment initiative aimed at creating jobs and strengthening agricultural value chains across the country.
The Federal Government has said the SAPZ project is expected to generate more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in each participating state, while significantly reducing post-harvest losses that deprive farmers of income.
The update was provided during the SAPZ Mid-Term Review Workshop in Abuja, where government officials and development partners assessed the progress of the programme’s first phase and explored solutions to implementation challenges.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the initiative is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as it seeks to transform agriculture from subsistence farming into a value-driven industry capable of generating employment and improving livelihoods.
According to Dr. Ogunbiyi, the programme is designed to address longstanding weaknesses in the agricultural value chain, including limited market access, inadequate storage facilities, and insufficient processing capacity.
“The programme is designed to create integrated agro-industrial hubs that connect farmers to processors, storage facilities, logistics networks, and markets within designated economic zones,” Ogunbiyi said.
He disclosed that the first phase of the project is already being implemented in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, while preparations for phase two are at an advanced stage.
For workers, the projections are substantial, with each location expected to create approximately 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, alongside an estimated 2.5 million temporary jobs arising from construction activities and related services.
The programme also aims to increase agricultural productivity from between five and 10 per cent to between 50 and 100 per cent, while reducing post-harvest losses from 45 per cent to 20 per cent.
Dr. Ogunbiyi acknowledged that implementation has encountered challenges, including delayed fund releases, procurement bottlenecks, and slow infrastructure development in some states. He urged stakeholders to address these issues promptly.
“We must identify the factors slowing implementation, address emerging risks, and ensure that the programmedelivers on its promises within the stipulated timeframe,” he said.
National Programme Coordinator, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, said the SAPZ initiative was developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank, and state governments to establish an inclusive agro-industrial sector.
“SAPZ provides a platform for attracting investments into value-added agro-processing, creating jobs, improving food security, generating export earnings, and increasing agriculture’s contribution to the national economy,” Yusuf said.
