Following the commitment of the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to advancing agriculture and food security, Kogi State is set to benefit from the African Development Bank (AfDB’s) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.
This was announced at a high-level policy dialogue in Abuja organised by the AfDB to deepen conversations around access to finance, youth and women empowerment and agribusiness development across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, said that Kogi and Ogun were the only states specially invited to the dialogue.
He described the gesture as an indication of AfDB’s recognition of the reforms and investments undertaken by the administration of Governor Ododo in the agricultural sector in the state.
Ojomah further said that the State Government has already initiated discussions with the AfDB to fast-track Kogi’s inclusion in the next phase of the SAPZ programme, expected to commence in 2026.
The commissioner said that a virtual meeting is being scheduled to finalize outstanding requirements between the state government and the AfDB.
Speaking in turn, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive agribusiness development.
Kyari announced the recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), with ₦1.5 trillion to support youth and women-led agro-enterprises, emphasizing the role of SAPZ in unlocking value chains and strengthening Nigeria’s food security and agricultural sustainability systems.
The minister noted that strategic states like Kogi, which have shown political will and clear agricultural policy direction, are well positioned to benefit from the SAPZ scheme and other national and multilateral interventions.
Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the President on AfDB on Stakeholder Engagement, Ms. Lola Visser, commended the Kogi State government for its strides in agricultural development and expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum of youth involvement in sector.
Visser emphasised the need to improve access to credit and support mechanisms for young agro-entrepreneurs.
She said that over 200 youth have been mentored under her initiative, adding however that access to financing remains a major hurdle.
Visser said that the dialogue was aimed at closing gaps through collaboration with financial institutions.
