The National Programme Coordinator of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed the strategic role of the SAPZ Programme in driving climate-smart agriculture, food security, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf made this known while delivering a keynote presentation at the Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship, organised by the National Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held at the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (COSPAL), Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Climate-Smart Agriculture and the Energy-Food Nexus,” Dr. Yusuf highlighted the strong alignment between the SAPZ Programme and Nigeria’s broader agenda for agricultural transformation, renewable energy adoption, climate resilience, and inclusive rural development.
According to him, the SAPZ Programme, jointly financed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is designed to unlock the country’s agricultural potential through the establishment of integrated agro-industrial hubs that connect farmers to markets, improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
He explained that the programme adopts a value chain approach that promotes climate-smart agricultural practices, efficient resource utilisation, renewable energy solutions, and environmentally sustainable production systems capable of strengthening Nigeria’s food systems while contributing to economic diversification.
Dr. Yusuf noted that the relationship between energy and agriculture is fundamental to achieving national food security, stressing that access to reliable and clean energy remains critical for irrigation, mechanisation, agro-processing, cold storage, transportation, and value addition.
“The future of agriculture lies in building resilient food systems supported by sustainable energy infrastructure. Through the SAPZ Programme, we are creating an enabling environment where farmers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and private sector investors work together to improve agricultural productivity while protecting the environment,” he stated.
Highlighting the programme’s achievements, Dr. Yusuf disclosed that SAPZ has continued to expand its interventions across participating states through farmer profiling, institutional strengthening, digital agriculture, and market-driven investments.
The National Programme Coordinator also highlighted ongoing investments in agricultural productivity, enterprise development, financial inclusion, and knowledge management, emphasizing that the programme is building stronger linkages between producers, processors, markets, and financial institutions to stimulate rural economic growth.
He added that SAPZ is expected to directly benefit approximately 1.5 million households across participating states while creating thousands of jobs for women and youth through increased private sector investment in agro-industrial development.
Addressing the fellowship participants, Dr. Yusuf encouraged young professionals to embrace innovation, digital technologies, renewable energy, and climate-smart solutions as essential tools for transforming Nigeria’s agricultural and energy sectors.
He stressed that the next generation of leaders must champion policies and investments that integrate agriculture, energy, climate resilience, and technology to build a more prosperous and food-secure Nigeria.
“The opportunities before Nigeria are enormous. With the right policies, strategic investments, and committed leadership, we can transform agriculture into a globally competitive sector that delivers jobs, wealth, industrial growth, and sustainable development,” he said.
Participants at the fellowship commended the SAPZ Programme for its integrated development model and practical approach to linking agriculture with infrastructure, clean energy, finance, and private sector investment.
Dr. Yusuf’s presentation reinforced the importance of coordinated investments in agriculture and sustainable energy as critical drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation, while positioning the SAPZ Programme as a key platform for delivering inclusive growth, climate resilience, long-term food security and answer to the diversification.
Shehu Babangida
National Knowledge Management and Communication Expert
Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme.