FG, AfDB set to implement SAPZ in Oyo

The federal government and the African Development Bank are set to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.
The AfDB announced this in a statement on Thursday.
The bank said that the 29km project would be held at the SAPZ Phase 1 site in Atan, Ijaiye, Akinyele LGA of Oyo State, on August 2.
It stated that the project, supported by the state government and other international development partners, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and industrialisation drive.
It stated that top government officials and AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina, alongside other stakeholders, would lead the ceremony.
He listed the other stakeholders as representatives of the Islamic Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Africa Grow Together Fund.
The Oyo SAPZ is the third zone being inaugurated under Phase I of the programme, following earlier groundbreakings in Kaduna and Cross River states in April.
It extends the SAPZ initiative into Nigeria’s south-west region, reinforcing the national commitment to revitalising rural economies through agro-industrial development.
According to the statement, the project is strategically sited on 300 hectares of land near the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Line.
“The Oyo SAPZ is designed to unlock key value chains in cassava, maize, poultry, and horticulture. It is expected to boost food security, generate employment, and attract agribusiness investments by leveraging efficient transport and market access.
“The SAPZ programme represents AfDB’s largest agriculture-focused investment in Africa and a flagship of its Feed Africa High 5 agenda,” it said.
It stated that the total financing for the programme amounted to $538 million, which is co-funded by the AfDB and its partners, including the IsDB, IFAD, and the Africa Grow Together Fund.
“The project demonstrates Nigeria’s strategic push towards agro-industrialisation by harnessing public-private partnerships to modernise agriculture and create shared prosperity across the value chain.
“The upcoming event also highlights AfDB’s longstanding development partnership with Nigeria. This spans over five decades and includes nearly $11 billion in cumulative commitments, with agriculture being a central pillar of its support,” it said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

NationWide
NCC shuts down piracy site moviebox.ng
Mr Asein described the site’s operations as part of a coordinated attempt to sustain piracy using clone and fallback domains.

States
Abia lawmaker inaugurates school projects, borehole in constituency
Mr Anyim called for further intervention in water supply in the area.

NationWide
Jigawa, Ondo, Lagos paid highest retail price of petrol in June: NBS
The NBS said that Yobe, Kogi, and Imo states paid the lowest average retail price of fuel at N950.60, N986.67, and N987.86, respectively.

States
Guard in court over theft of building materials worth N7 million
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Heading 2
Tinubu extends Adeniyi’s tenure as CG Customs
Mr Adeniyi will remain in office until August 2026.

Heading 1
Court of Appeal upholds Ondo governor’s election
The court said that the appellants could not substantiate their allegations against the election and APC.