The Senior Special Adviser to the President of the African Development Bank, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, has announced the completion of eight Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across Nigeria under Phase I of the programme, with an additional 28 zones currently in the pipeline.

He disclosed this on Saturday during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new SAPZ in Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, according to The PUNCH.

“In Nigeria, we have completed eight sites under SAPZ Phase One, with 28 more sites in the pipeline across the country. The journey continues. It affirms AfDB’s commitment to transforming Africa’s rural economies through agro-industrialisation,” he said.

He further revealed that the SAPZ initiative has been expanded to 27 sites across 11 African countries, highlighting its growing continental impact.

“Today was a dream come true as we broke ground for the SAPZ Nigeria Industrial Hub in Ijaiye, Oyo State.

“It has been a decade of hard work, and it has been an honour to lead the implementation of Dr Adesina’s vision, which began in 2010 when he was Minister of Agriculture. Let’s continue to change the vision of Dr. Adesina that we’ve all worked hard to actualise,” Oyelaran-Oyeyinka said.

Oyelaran-Oyeyinka highlighted the transformative potential of the SAPZ programme, anchored on a threefold vision: eradicating poverty, achieving full employment, and accelerating industrialisation through rural transformation.

“We want to create a Nigeria with life abundant for all,” he declared.

Phase I of the SAPZ programme in Nigeria covers seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, namely: Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, Imo, and the FCT.

He added, “The AfDB aims to expand this to 23 additional states by 2027, with 10 expected to be approved by the AfDB board by October 2025. The programme is jointly financed by the AfDB, Islamic Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Nigerian federal and state governments, with a total Phase I funding of $538m.”

Describing Oyo State as a strategic agricultural hub, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka pointed to its proximity to Lagos, expansive arable land, and strong infrastructure links as key advantages.

“With over 90 per cent of its 28,454 square kilometers being arable and a population approaching 8 million, Oyo is agriculturally blessed. It’s also just 29km from Ibadan, and well connected to the Obafemi Awolowo Railway Station and the modernising international cargo airport,” he said.