Vice President Kashim Shettima says the federal government has resolved to transform the country’s agricultural sector to stimulate economic growth and boost national pride.

Mr Shettima said this on Saturday in Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub in Ijaiye.

The vice president was represented at the event by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

He said the groundbreaking of the agro-industrial hub under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme has marked a decisive stride in the collective quest to build a resilient, self-sufficient, and prosperous Nigeria.

Mr Shettima said the SAPZ initiative was one of the cornerstones of the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Tinubu.

“This initiative is not just an infrastructural project; it is a bold declaration that Nigeria’s future lies in transforming our abundant agricultural resources into value-added products that fuel industries, generate employment, and uplift our farmers.

“It is a product of a strategic partnership between the federal government, state governments, and esteemed international development partners, especially the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB).

“This collaborative effort underscores our shared belief that sustainable development in agriculture is achievable only through unity, innovation, and shared responsibility.

“It is a clear indication that Nigeria is committed to leveraging global expertise, capital, and best practices to achieve sustainable growth and social inclusion,” he said.

The vice president further stated that with the groundbreaking of the initiative, the country was laying the foundation for agro-industrial hopes that will empower agro-processes and farmers, stimulate local economies, and make Nigeria a competitive player in global markets.

“We are expanding the development benefit of the SAPZ across the 36 states in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to onboard 27 more states in tranches, starting with 10 states by the first quarter of 2026,” he said.

Mr Shettima also acknowledged the visionary leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde and commended the president of AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, who he described as a truly continental champion, especially of the SAPZ initiative.

He reaffirmed President Bola Tunubu’s unwavering commitment to the transformative journey under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

In his address, Mr Makinde stated that his administration was building a future where agriculture would boost the local economy and remain a major source of revenue for the state.

The governor said that Ijaiye Agro-Industrial Hub was the third one established by his administration, following Fashola and Eruwa.

Mr Makinde said his administration would develop designs for the establishment of three more agro-industrial hubs, to be located at Ipapo, Iresa, Adu, and Ilora.

The AfDB president said the AfDB had put in $934 million for the development of SAPZs and also mobilised $938 million to develop them all across Africa.

(NAN)