As part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and boost economic diversification, the Federal Government, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has commended Oyo State for its proactive role in the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.
Speaking during a high-level supervision mission to Oyo State, the National Programme Coordinator for SAPZ, Dr. Kabiru Yusuf, described the state as a model of commitment and seriousness towards agricultural industrialization.
The SAPZ is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, designed to industrialize agriculture and reduce dependency on the importation of finished agricultural goods.
“Oyo is one of the Phase 1 states selected for the SAPZ initiative, alongside Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Cross River, Imo, and the FCT,” Dr. Yusuf said. “We have already disbursed funds to the state, and our visit is to assess the utilization of those funds and ensure alignment with project objectives.”
During the visit, the delegation toured massive agro-industrial park at Ijaye, which spans over 100 hectares. Dr. Yusuf confirmed that the procurement of contractors has been finalized, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for the second week of August.
Highlighting the broader vision, Dr. Yusuf stated that the SAPZ programme is in line with President Tinubu’s aspiration to build a $1 trillion Nigerian economy through agribusiness. “We aim to elevate rural communities into secondary cities through job creation, industrial hubs, and increased economic activity,” he added.
He also lauded Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for his innovative approach, particularly for allocating federal loan funding solely to the Ijaye Hub, while the state independently funds the Eruwa Agro-Industrial Zone.
“This is a rare and commendable move, showcasing genuine commitment to agricultural transformation,” Dr. Yusuf said.
In her remarks, Dr. Oyebola Yejide Akande, Assistant Director of African Financial Institutions at the Federal Ministry of Finance, emphasized the importance of infrastructural readiness to support agro-industrial development.
“We’ve visited Ogun and Cross River, and now Oyo. What we’re checking is the infrastructure both existing and those to be built under the SAPZ framework,” Dr. Akande said. “For example, at Ijaye, a designated agro-industrial hub, we identified the need for access roads and logistics that would allow seamless movement of goods and raw materials in and out of the zone.”
She stressed that the Ministry’s role includes ensuring that communities and individuals affected by development especially road construction are properly compensated, in line with international environmental and social safeguards. “Before road construction, affected families must be resettled. If we don’t do this, we risk project delays and disruptions,” she noted.
Dr. Akande reiterated that the ultimate goal is to improve rural livelihoods and ensure that farmers and producers benefit meaningfully from the initiative. “We’re trying to ensure fair value for farmers’ efforts—whether they are producing yam or tomatoes, we need viable off-taker systems and logistics to connect them to markets,” she explained.
The SAPZ programme, supported by the AfDB, Islamic Development Bank, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is seen as a game-changer in Nigeria’s economic diversification journey. With strong collaboration between federal and state governments, stakeholders say the impact will be visible not just in GDP figures but in the daily lives of rural communities.
“The whole essence of agriculture is improving livelihoods. With projects like SAPZ, we’re doing just that,” Dr. Akande concluded.
The SAPZ project will support the agro-industrialization of Oyo state for food security, economic growth and economic development. The project is anchored by Oyo state Agribusiness Development Agency under the leadership of Dr Debo Akande .
Among those inspected the Atan Farm hub and Fasola Farms include , Engr. Ibrahim Bashir Gaya Co-task Manager AfDB, Bernard Onzima, Principal Agro-Industry Officer AfDB, Dr. Emmanuel Chisesa, Regional Procurement Coordinator for AfDB Nigeria and others.
The team also visited the Fashola Farms, another designated SAPZ zone, where dairy, cashew, cassava, tomato greenhouse projects, and more are already taking shape
The delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB), alongside other stakeholders, is scheduled to meet with Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to brief him on the outcome of their recent assessment visit to the state.”
