FG inaugurates committee to drive agro-industrial growth through SAPZ programme

The federal government has inaugurated a Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, aimed at accelerating agro-industrialisation, boosting private sector investment, and transforming Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Friday, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the committee would provide technical direction, ensure coordination among agencies, and oversee the effective implementation of the SAPZ initiative.

According to him, the SAPZ programme is a strategic intervention designed to unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential through cluster-based development and integrated infrastructure that connects farmers to processors, markets, and industries.

“The establishment of this technical committee marks a significant milestone in our efforts to drive agricultural transformation and create inclusive prosperity,” Ogunbiyi said.

“The Ministry remains committed to providing the leadership and enabling environment needed to ensure the success of the programme.”

He outlined the committee’s terms of reference to include offering technical guidance on implementation strategies, addressing policy and technical gaps, aligning sectoral programmes with SAPZ objectives, and supporting monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure accountability and impact.

In her remarks, Iluromi Olubunmi, director, Federal Department of Development Partnership Projects, described the committee’s inauguration as “timely and necessary” for providing the inter-agency coordination and policy alignment required for the programme’s success nationwide.

Kabir Yusuf, National Project Coordinator for SAPZ , explained that the programme’s main goal is to promote inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development, diversify the economy, and reduce Nigeria’s food import bill.

“SAPZ is a cross-cutting platform designed to attract private sector investment into value-added agro-processing, thereby enhancing food security, job creation, export earnings, and agriculture’s contribution to GDP,” Yusuf said.

The newly inaugurated committee includes representatives from key federal ministries such as Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Water Resources, Women Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment, Power, and Works, among others.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.