Nigeria has committed $538.05 million to the first phase of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme and launched a youth-focused 10-year Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) to drive agricultural transformation, Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced.

In a statement released Tuesday by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima made the announcement during a high-level dialogue with African youth agri-food entrepreneurs and leaders at the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Speaking at the Plenary Session on Transforming Food Systems in Complex Settings, the Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to overhauling its food systems through targeted investments like the SAPZ initiative.

He described the SAPZ as a flagship initiative designed to boost agricultural productivity, enhance rural livelihoods, and fast-track the country’s agro-industrialisation efforts.

“The SAPZ programme in Nigeria is being implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and other key development partners.

“The initiative is projected to attract $1 billion in total investments by 2027, reduce post-harvest losses by 80%, and has already generated over 785,000 jobs across targeted regions,” he noted.

Vice President Shettima emphasized that African youths are central to the continent’s agri-food future and must be fully mobilized as its greatest asset.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity, highlighting key interventions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including the declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security, the reactivation of over 500,000 hectares of arable land, the deployment of strategic food reserves, and expanded access to quality seeds and agricultural extension services.

The Vice President also stressed the need for security sector reforms to ensure farmers can safely access their lands and sustain food production in rural communities.

He further called for international cooperation to recharge the Lake Chad Basin, expand sustainable irrigation systems, and develop a comprehensive national farm database.

Shettima also advocated for proactive measures against climate shocks, the implementation of emergency school feeding programmes in conflict-affected regions, and resilience-building initiatives to promote long-term stability.

“Food security is the trust anchor of peace,” the Vice President stated.