By: Solomon Azu, Calabar
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has flagged off the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Cross River State on Thursday marked the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic transformation.
Shettima alongside Governor Bassey Otu, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and other stakeholders, officially flagged off the project, a significant step in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his address, Shettima described the SAPZ initiative as a transformative milestone for Nigeria’s agriculture and economy. He said the project aligns with the country’s goals to foster economic growth, strengthen food security, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
He praised the collaboration between the AfDB, the Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, and the Cross River State Government for their combined efforts in making the initiative a reality.
The vice president said the SAPZ would act as a major catalyst for national development, especially in tackling food insecurity and supporting long-term agricultural advancement across Nigeria.
Governor Otu, in his remarks, emphasised that the project aligns with his administration’s prosperity agenda. He expressed confidence that it would empower agricultural communities including Ikom, Yala, Obanliku, Obubra, and others, positioning them as productive hubs for agriculture and industrial expansion.
He described the SAPZ as a long-term investment in economic diversification, capable of creating new opportunities for growth and sustainable livelihoods across the state.
The governor also outlined the strategic importance of the Agro-Industrial Hub, which covers 130 hectares and benefits from vital infrastructure such as the Calabar Seaport, the planned Bakassi Deep Seaport, a 23MW power plant in Tinapa, and the nearby 630MW Calabar Power Plant.
He noted the proposed rail links connecting 14 local government areas, including those surrounding the Agricultural Transformation Centre in Yala, as well as the site’s proximity to the Calabar River and the international airport. These, he said, would open access to global markets for the state’s agro-industrial products.
Otu added that the SAPZ project aligns with his administration’s priorities, food security, energy sufficiency, and job creation.
He pledged full government backing for its implementation, saying the project would have lasting economic benefits for Cross River and its people.
AfDB President Adesina, delivering a keynote address, commended Governor Otu for his leadership and commitment to agricultural transformation.
He said it was gratifying to see the SAPZ vision materialise after years of delays, and noted its potential to generate employment, reduce food imports and attract private-sector investment.
Adesina spoke of Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential and called for a collective national effort to attain food self-sufficiency and become a leader in agricultural exports.
He credited President Tinubu’s political will, Vice-President Shettima’s consistent support, and inter-ministerial cooperation as critical to the SAPZ’s progress.
“The SAPZ project will have a transformational impact, particularly in rural areas, by creating jobs and revitalising local economies through modern agro-industrial hubs,” Adesina said.
He disclosed that $934 million has already been invested in SAPZs across 11 African countries, with Nigeria’s first phase covering eight states, including Cross River. A second phase, covering 28 states, is projected to attract $2.2 billion in investments.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Senator John Owan-Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment; the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V; other senior government officials, private sector representatives, and development partners.
