Governors from the Northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria are seeking the support of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) towards unlocking the huge agricultural potential of the zone.
A delegation of the governors led by Dikko Radda of Katsina State was in Abidjan last week where it held a high-level engagement with Akinwunmi Adesina, president of the AfDB.
Governor Radda underscored the region’s significant challenges, such as limited irrigation infrastructure, low agricultural productivity, and unemployment, citing them as critical factors contributing to food insecurity and regional instability.
Read also: AfDB, NorthWest Nigerian govs forge alliance to propel agricultural growth
Radda said the Northwest governors decided to adopt a coordinated approach with the bank to implement agriculture and power projects that will drive the zone’s development and improve livelihoods. “We have commonalities in people, approaches, culture, tradition, topography, rainfall, and climate,” he said.
The governor noted that the lack of irrigation infrastructure was among the key challenges in the zone, leading to low yields, post-harvest losses due to poor storage facilities, youth unemployment and underemployment, and fueling insecurity.
“We are confronted with numerous hurdles — unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and storage facilities—but through concerted efforts and collaboration with the bank, we aim to surmount these obstacles and achieve sustainable growth,” Radda remarked.
Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, the deputy governor of Kaduna State, expressed hope that Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) could solve problems and boost economic growth.
“We are optimistic that the special agro-industrial processing zones will assist us in overcoming many challenges, just as they will propel us to achieve food self-sufficiency, job creation, and wealth creation, and subsequently boost economic growth, especially in the rural economy.” Balarabe said.
On his part, Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State, highlighted the critical role of agriculture in zone’s economy, stressing the need for strategic partnerships and commitment to initiatives like the Desert-to-Power programme.
“Agriculture is the bedrock of our state’s economy. Nearly 70 percent of our population is reliant on agriculture. We recognise the immense potential of renewable energy to revitalise dormant industries and foster economic prosperity,” Idris said.
Aminu Abdussalam, the deputy governor of Kano State, said the state was working to revamp more than 20 idle dams to drive economic activity, while the deputy governor of Sokoto State, Idris Mohammed Gobir, said programmes to bolster beef and milk production and improve higher education for youth were priorities.
Adesina, president of AfDB, emphasised the pivotal role of the bank in fostering sustainable growth and addressing the challenges faced by the Northwest region.
Read also: AfDB, Afrexim, others pledge $3 billion to fuel Africa’s agro-industrial growth
“The African Development Bank Group remains resolute and committed to supporting the Nigerian government to mitigate the impacts of the high food and energy prices prevailing in the country,” Adesina said.
He noted that “food price inflation stands today at 33 percent, and it accounts for 65 percent of the consumer price index. By providing the Northwest—whose development is critical for Nigeria—with affordable renewable energy that will power our planned special agro-industrial processing zones, we would have gone a long way in taming inflation in Nigeria.”
The bank, with an active portfolio of 48 operations worth $4.4 billion in Nigeria, aims to invest $1billion to expand special agro processing zones across the country.
Adesina urged the swift identification of suitable agricultural hubs by the governors to expedite the implementation of these schemes.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
