Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday kickstarted the construction of a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Kaduna State. This marked what he called a transformative step toward revitalising Nigeria’s agriculture-driven economy.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Daki-Takwas, Chikun Local Government Area, along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. Speaking to stakeholders and local leaders gathered at the site, Shettima described the initiative as a “presidential priority project” designed to tackle long-standing challenges in the agricultural value chain, from poor infrastructure to inadequate market access and low processing capacity.
“This is not just a construction project,” the vice-president said, “it is the foundation of a new era for Nigeria’s agriculture sector—an era of innovation, industrialisation, and sustainable jobs.”
The Kaduna SAPZ is part of a broader national initiative aimed at transforming agricultural productivity through industrial-scale processing hubs. The first phase of the programme will include similar zones in Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, the project accentuates the administration’s commitment to using agriculture as a launchpad for economic revival, food security, and rural development.
The SAPZ initiative is expected to not only boost local economies but also serve as magnets for investment, skills training, and agro-entrepreneurship in host communities across the country.
