In a strategic move to fast-track Nigeria’s agro-industrial transformation, a high-level Supervision Mission led by Benard Onzima, task manager of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has commenced a nationwide review of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme. The delegation, comprising key representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the AfDB, and the National Coordination Office of the SAPZ, began their mission in Kaduna State one of the programme’s pioneering hubs.
The mission, officially termed “SAPZ-1 Supervision and Review Tour”, is expected to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the programme’s progress, address emerging implementation bottlenecks, and develop a concrete action plan with verifiable benchmarks for accelerated delivery.
Setting the Pace in Kaduna;
The choice of Kaduna as the mission’s first stop is symbolic. As one of the early beneficiaries of the SAPZ initiative, the state has made visible strides in aligning infrastructure with agro-industrial needs. During the visit, the delegation inspected key SAPZ infrastructures, engaged with the State Programme implementing Units, and held interactive sessions with project stakeholders.
Speaking during the debriefing in Kaduna, a senior AfDB official remarked:
“This mission is not just a routine check-in. It is a collaborative effort to ensure that Nigeria’s SAPZ model delivers on its promise revitalizing rural economies, catalyzing investment in agro-processing, and ultimately boosting food security.”
Next Stops: Cross River, Ogun, Oyo, and Imo
Following the Kaduna leg, the team is scheduled to visit other participating states Cross River, Ogun, Oyo, and Imo where similar assessments and stakeholder engagements will be conducted. The goal is to ensure that lessons from one location inform best practices in others, fostering synergy and standardization across the board.
A representative of the National Program Coordinator from the SAPZ National Coordination Office emphasized the importance of this mission:
“The SAPZ programme represents a flagship effort by the Nigerian government, with support from AfDB and other partners, to shift from subsistence farming to agribusiness-driven rural economies. This mission helps us take stock and refine our strategies.”
Solving Challenges, Setting New Targets
Among the mission’s top priorities is identifying and resolving implementation delays related to land acquisition, infrastructure rollout, private sector onboarding, and community engagement. The team will also establish measurable indicators to track future progress across all intervention areas.
Preliminary reports from Kaduna suggest promising outcomes, but the AfDB team is cautious in its optimism. The real test, they noted, lies in consistent delivery across the states, sustainability of the business models, and long-term impact on farmer incomes and employment.
Looking Ahead
As the supervision mission continues, eyes across Nigeria’s development sector are watching closely. If the SAPZ model succeeds, it could provide a blueprint for agro-industrial policy not just within Nigeria, but across Africa.
In the words of one community leader who met with the delegation in Kaduna AIH:
“For years, we asked for real support. With SAPZ, we feel like the system is finally listening. But we need action, not just visits. Let this mission bring change.”
Shehu Babangida
National Knowledge Management and Communication Specialist.
SAPZNigeria
