The African Development Bank, AfDB, has applauded the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for its commitment to agricultural transformation and food security, listing Kogi State among prospective beneficiaries of its flagship Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZ, programme.
The commendation came during a high-level policy dialogue held in Abuja, convened by the AfDB to explore strategies for expanding access to agricultural finance, promoting youth and women’s participation in agribusiness, and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.
Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah said that Kogi and Ogun were the only two states specially invited to the policy dialogue.
He noted that the invitation was a clear signal of the AfDB’s recognition of the reforms and proactive investments by the Ododo-led administration in Kogi’s agricultural sector.
Ojomah stated that the Kogi State Government has already commenced engagement with the African Development Bank to ensure its participation in the next phase of the SAPZ programme, which is expected to begin in 2026.
Discussions are ongoing, with a virtual meeting scheduled to finalize the remaining technical and administrative requirements necessary for the state’s full inclusion in the programme.
“We are aligning our strategic priorities with AfDB’s SAPZ framework to unlock the vast agricultural potential of Kogi State. Our governor has shown strong political will, and this recognition from the Bank is a validation of our efforts,” Ojomah said.
The SAPZ initiative by the AfDB aims to develop rural infrastructure and attract private sector investments to agricultural processing hubs, thereby boosting value addition and reducing post-harvest losses. It also targets job creation for young people and women in agribusiness.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to inclusive and sustainable agribusiness development.
He announced the recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture with ₦1.5 trillion in funding to empower youth and women-led agro-enterprises across the country.
Senator Kyari emphasized that states like Kogi, which have demonstrated strong leadership and a clear agricultural policy direction, are strategically positioned to benefit from SAPZ and other multilateral interventions.
“The SAPZ programme is a transformative initiative that aligns with our national priorities on food security and economic diversification,” Kyari noted. “We are encouraged by the political will and institutional readiness demonstrated by Kogi State.”
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Ms. Lola Visser, Special Adviser to the President of the AfDB on Stakeholder Engagement, praised Kogi State for its strides in agricultural development and innovation.
She noted the positive shift in youth participation in agriculture but highlighted that access to finance remains a significant obstacle for emerging agro-entrepreneurs.
“Over 200 young people have been mentored under our initiative, but limited financing continues to hinder scalability,” Visser said.
“This dialogue is critical to bridging those gaps by encouraging stronger collaboration between financial institutions, state governments, and development partners.”
She encouraged states to establish clear support structures for young farmers and entrepreneurs, adding that improved credit access would unlock a new era of productivity in the agricultural sector.
The policy dialogue also served as a platform for state representatives, development financiers, and agribusiness stakeholders to identify policy bottlenecks and align state-level actions with national and international funding opportunities.
The recognition of Kogi State by the AfDB is expected to boost investor confidence in the state’s agribusiness potential and aligns with Governor Ododo’s broader goal of positioning agriculture as a driver of economic growth, rural development, and job creation.
With the 2026 SAPZ implementation phase approaching, Kogi’s early engagement with the AfDB could see the state emerge as a leading beneficiary of infrastructure development, value chain investments, and technical support under the programme.
The SAPZ scheme is currently active in several states, and its expansion is seen as vital to enhancing Nigeria’s food security architecture amid rising population and climate-related pressures.
Crediblenewsng.com
