SAPZ Program: A Model for Nigeria's Agricultural Growth

Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, announced during a meeting of the Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee on the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) program in Abuja on May 14, 2026, that the SAPZ initiative is a model for agricultural industrialization in Nigeria.

The program is expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality, attract private investment, create sustainable jobs for youth and women, and strengthen food security while enhancing rural income. The SAPZ aims to establish integrated agro-industrial hubs with critical infrastructure such as roads, power, and water supply.

It seeks to transform Nigeria's agricultural landscape by moving the country from exporting raw agricultural commodities to adding value through agro-industrial processes. The program is a strategic initiative jointly financed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and international partners, including the AfDB, IFAD, and IsDB, and is aligned with the government's agenda for food security and economic diversification.