Nigeria has committed over $538.05 million to the initial phase of its flagship Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme while unveiling a youth-led 10-Year Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) aimed at transforming the nation’s agricultural landscape. Vice President Kashim Shettima made this announcement during a high-level plenary session at the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Representing Nigeria in a dialogue focused on reshaping food systems in challenging environments, the Vice President emphasized that agriculture holds the key to sustainable development, food security, and economic empowerment—especially for the continent’s youth.

SAPZ: A Catalyst for Agro-Industrial Growth

Vice President Shettima highlighted the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda. With an investment of $538.05 million already committed to the first phase, the initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity, enhance rural livelihoods, and accelerate agro-industrialization across key regions in the country.

Implemented in collaboration with global development institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the SAPZ programme is expected to attract a total of $1 billion in investments by 2027.

According to Shettima, the programme has already started yielding results, including the creation of over 785,000 jobs, particularly across rural and agriculturally intensive areas. He also noted that the initiative targets an 80% reduction in post-harvest losses, which has historically been a major barrier to food security and farmer profitability.

Food Security as National Priority

At the summit, Shettima reiterated the Nigerian government’s strong resolve to combat food insecurity. He emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had declared a State of Emergency on Food Security, a move that has already seen over 500,000 hectares of arable land reactivated, alongside the deployment of strategic food reserves and expansion of seed distribution and extension services to farmers nationwide.

The Vice President linked food security to national peace and stability, asserting that “Food security is the trust anchor of peace.” He urged African leaders to adopt proactive approaches to guarantee access to food, especially in conflict-prone regions.

Youth-Centric 10-Year Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035)

Underscoring the importance of engaging young people in agricultural transformation, Shettima announced Nigeria’s launch of a comprehensive 10-Year Strategic Action Plan for the Agriculture Sector (2026–2035). This plan, he said, will prioritize youth leadership, innovation, and private sector collaboration, aligning national and subnational priorities for maximum impact.

“Nations prepared for the future are not defined by their promises but by how they empower their youth to shape those promises,” Shettima stated.

He further disclosed that Nigeria has inaugurated both an Agricultural Sector Working Group and a Technical Committee to coordinate the national implementation of the Kampala Declaration—a continental pact on youth in agriculture. The Action Plan will include robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, mentorship in agro-technology, and enterprise support to ensure sustainability.

Boosting Youth Agribusiness Through Financing

In a significant policy shift toward financial inclusion, Shettima revealed that the Federal Government had recapitalized the Bank of Agriculture with N1.5 trillion (approximately $1 billion) to support Nigeria’s Youth Agricultural Revolution. Through this fund, young farmers and agri-focused groups can access loans of up to N1 million, helping them scale operations and improve productivity.

“This is not an act of charity,” Shettima emphasized. “This is strategic inclusion and resilience engineered into policy.”

Strategic Collaborations and Regional Engagement

Nigeria is also deepening collaborations with international partners to harness youth potential in agriculture. Shettima cited Nigeria’s ongoing cooperation with the Netherlands, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and CGIAR under the Youth in Agribusiness Initiative. This programme is expected to reach 10,000 young Nigerians, with 40–50% being women, across sectors such as horticulture, poultry, aquaculture, and cassava processing.

Further, the country is investing in mechanized agriculture, irrigation systems, and greenhouse technologies. One of the most ambitious projects cited is the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Initiative—a bilateral partnership with Brazil aimed at promoting year-round farming and value chain development.

According to Shettima, “We launched the first 2,000 tractors under a $70 million investment to cultivate 550,000 hectares and impact over 550,000 farming households. Additionally, through a partnership with John Deere, we are deploying 10,000 tractors over five years to revolutionize farm mechanization.”

Security, Climate, and Infrastructure Reforms

VP Shettima also stressed the need to tackle structural issues like rural insecurity, poor infrastructure, and climate vulnerability, which often hinder agricultural productivity. He called for:

• Security sector reform to guarantee farmers’ access to land.

• Enhanced regional cooperation to recharge the Lake Chad Basin and develop sustainable irrigation.

• Establishment of a national farm database for better coordination and resource allocation.

• Emergency school feeding programs in conflict-affected zones to improve child nutrition and encourage school attendance.

• Climate resilience measures and anticipatory action plans to address weather-related shocks and ensure long-term stability.

“These are not just policy goals; they are survival strategies for a continent on the brink of transformation,” he said.

Agro-Processing and Economic Diversification

One of the key policy directions emphasized by Shettima is Nigeria’s commitment to value addition. He noted that Africa must move away from merely exporting raw agricultural commodities and instead focus on processing and packaging, which will create jobs, increase export earnings, and strengthen rural economies.

The upcoming 10-Year Strategic Action Plan will have a major component focused on training, mentorship, and business incubation in agro-processing, with a focus on technology adoption, climate-smart agriculture, and market access.

A Vision for the Future

Concluding his address, Shettima described Nigeria’s agricultural reform agenda as a generational relay, which requires shared responsibility, strategic partnerships, and a long-term vision to succeed. He urged all African stakeholders—from governments and private investors to youth leaders and civil society—to unite around the goal of achieving food sovereignty and economic empowerment through agriculture.

“Let us not leave this continent at the mercy of food imports and climate crises. Let us empower our youth, build resilient systems, and redefine our future from the ground up,” he declared.

With Nigeria’s bold financial commitments, strategic alliances, and focus on youth inclusion, the country is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s agricultural renaissance. The next decade could very well determine whether Nigeria—and Africa—can feed itself, generate prosperity, and secure the peace that Shettima calls “the trust anchor” of a stable society.