By Omoniyi David
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria has committed $538.05 million to the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.
Speaking at the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, Shettima said the initiative, backed by the African Development Bank, IFAD, Islamic Development Bank and other partners, targets increased agricultural productivity, improved rural livelihoods, and faster agro-industrialisation.
He said the project aims to attract $1 billion investment by 2027, reduce post-harvest losses by 80%, and has already created over 785,000 jobs across the zones.
Highlighting youth as the future of Africa’s agri-food systems, Shettima stressed the need for their full engagement. He also noted that the Tinubu administration had revived over 500,000 hectares of farmland, released food reserves, and improved access to seeds and extension services.
On security, he emphasised reforms to ensure farmers can safely access their lands. He further called for global support to recharge Lake Chad, expand irrigation, and develop a national agricultural database.
Other proposals include early response to climate shocks, emergency school feeding in crisis zones, and long-term strategies to build resilience.
“Food security is the trust anchor of peace,” Shettima said.
