By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Kaduna State has made history as the first in Nigeria to launch the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), marking a significant achievement in the state’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The announcement was made by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), during a courtesy visit to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Tuesday.
Dr. Adesina praised Governor Uba Sani for his steadfast dedication to agriculture, acknowledging the state’s remarkable increase in its budget for the sector, which has grown from N1.4 billion in 2023 to N74 billion in the current fiscal year.
“You didn’t just put your money where your mouth is, you put your money where your mind and body are,” Dr. Adesina remarked, drawing applause from the audience of stakeholders and dignitaries present.
He further praised the leadership in Kaduna, stating, “This is not just a vision for food security; it is a roadmap for economic prosperity and inclusive development. You are the first state to launch the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Nigeria. This is a great day for us all.”
Dr. Adesina also took the opportunity to praise the state’s hospitality, joking that, in addition to their warm reception, they had received “maternity care” from the Deputy Governor, a trained medical doctor.
He reaffirmed the AfDB’s commitment to supporting Kaduna’s agricultural initiatives, particularly in expanding school feeding programs in alignment with the new processing zones.
The AfDB president also pledged continued support for primary healthcare improvements, health insurance, and infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and digitalisation efforts in the state.
“We are proud to partner with a government that listens, leads with compassion, and is open to all,” he stated.
In return, Governor Uba Sani expressed his gratitude, calling Dr. Adesina “a blessing to Nigeria, Africa, and humanity.” He acknowledged the transformative contributions Dr. Adesina has made to agriculture across the continent, especially through his E-wallet initiative during his tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, which benefitted over 15 million smallholder farmers, primarily in Northern Nigeria.
The Governor highlighted that agriculture represents around 42 percent of Kaduna’s GDP and provides employment to 60 percent of the state’s population, making it a vital sector for development.
He further noted that, while insecurity has posed challenges to agricultural progress, investments like the SAPZ are key to overcoming these obstacles.
“In Kaduna, we have significantly increased our agricultural budget, from N1.4 billion to N74 billion, to meet the 10 percent target of the 2014 Malabo Declaration. We are proud to be the first sub-national government to achieve this,” Governor Sani remarked.
He described the launch of the Agro-Industrial Processing Zone as a pivotal development for the state, underscoring its potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance food security in Kaduna.
Governor Sani also expressed his appreciation to Dr. Adesina for his role in transforming agriculture in Nigeria and across Africa, thanking the AfDB for its continued support of Kaduna’s agricultural development.