Earlier today in Calabar, Vice President Kashim Shettima led the groundbreaking of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ)—a major leap in Nigeria’s mission to industrialise agriculture and deliver prosperity through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“What’s more exciting than the promise of a vibrant agricultural value chain is the steps towards its fulfilment,” the Vice President said. “This gathering is one for the history books.”
In just three days, Nigeria has launched two SAPZs—first in Kaduna, now in Calabar—underscoring a strong commitment to economic diversification and food security.
The Vice President described Calabar as “an enduring reminder of the immense potential that agriculture and agro-industrialisation hold for our nation,” adding that the SAPZ initiative directly addresses barriers like poor infrastructure, limited access to finance, and market constraints.
“These zones will generate thousands of jobs, empower young people with skills, and help them contribute positively to the economy,” he declared. “SAPZ is a game changer for Cross River—and for Nigeria.”
VP Shettima also announced that SAPZ has now been prioritised by the Tinubu administration and will be institutionalised as a government agency to industrialise agriculture across the 36 states.
He commended development partners for backing Nigeria’s vision, and saluted the Cross River State Government, especially Governor Bassey Edet Otu, for being a “critical foundation” for the programme’s success.
“This is not a programme that can succeed without our cooperation across the board. Today is the dawn of a new era for Cross River State and for Nigeria.”
