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FG’s SAPZ Programme Targets 500,000 Jobs Per Location

The Federal Government, working with development partners, is accelerating the rollout of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, which is projected to create over 500,000 jobs per location and reduce post-harvest losses nationwide.

At a mid-term review workshop in Abuja, stakeholders assessed progress under Phase I and discussed ways to overcome delays in funding, procurement, and infrastructure delivery.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, described SAPZ as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation strategy.

“The programme is designed to create integrated agro-industrial hubs that connect farmers to processors, storage facilities, logistics networks and markets,” he said.

Phase I is underway in seven states and the FCT, with Phase II structured into three tranches to expand coverage. Ogunbiyi noted the initiative could generate 2.5 million temporary jobs through infrastructure construction and raise productivity by up to 100%, while cutting post-harvest losses from 45% to 20%.

National Programme Coordinator Dr Kabir Yusuf explained that SAPZ was jointly developed with the AfDB, IFAD, IsDB, and state governments, aiming to boost food security, reduce imports, and attract private investment.

Development partners highlighted tangible results: IFAD interventions have reached 17,000 farmers in Kano and Ogun, provided climate services to 14,000, and delivered improved inputs to 9,000. IFAD has also approved an additional $50m investment, raising its total commitment to $100m.

AfDB Task Manager Benard Onzima said the programme clusters agro-processing industries around high-potential areas, enabling efficient production and distribution.

He reported that by March 2026, SAPZ had achieved a 41% commitment rate ($86m) but only 12% disbursement ($25m), with targets to reach 70% commitment and 35% disbursement by year-end.

Stakeholders agreed that SAPZ remains a transformational intervention, capable of raising rural incomes, strengthening value chains, and positioning agriculture as a competitive, export-driven industry under Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.