A Federal Government delegation, in collaboration with officials from the African Development Bank (AfDB), has commended Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his commitment to the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project at Ijaye-Atan Village, Akinyele Local Government Area.
The commendation was made during an on the spot assessment visit to the proposed site of the Ijaye Agro-Industrial Processing Hub on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
The team was led by Dr. Oyebola Yejide Akande, Assistant Director of African Financial Institutions at the Federal Ministry of Finance, International Economic Relations Department, and Dr. Kabir Yusuf, National Program Coordinator of the Nigeria SAPZ program.
Speaking during the tour, Dr. Debo Akande, the Director General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), represented by Dr Ajetumobi Akineumi, the Acting State Coordinator for SAPZ, stated that the assessment was part of a supervisory mission to the project’s Phase I.
“We’ve been to Ogun State and Cross River, and now we are in Oyo State to evaluate readiness. The goal is to assess what infrastructure exists and what needs development,” she explained.
According to her, while some foundational infrastructure is already in place, key components such as the agro-industrial processing hub, Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC), and access roads are still required.
She emphasized the importance of road connectivity for efficient movement of goods and investor participation while highlighting that such infrastructure is crucial for the success of the SAPZ project.
Akande praised the Oyo State Government for its strong commitment, saying, “The Federal Government, having secured the loan, is collaborating with the state to ensure that farmers and rural communities benefit directly from the initiative.”
She noted that arrangements under SAPZ are structured to guarantee equitable compensation and involvement for rural farmers, ensuring no stakeholder is shortchanged.
In his remarks, Dr. Kabir Yusuf emphasized the significance of the project, revealing that the Ijaye agro-industrial park, spanning about 100 hectares, is at the core of the development strategy.
“We are here to assess the progress and ensure that funds disbursed so far have been properly utilized. Procurement processes for the Ijaye hub have been concluded, and the project is ready to proceed,” he said.
Dr. Yusuf also disclosed that the team visited the Fasola Agribusiness Hub, recently designated as a SAPZ zone by the state.
He lauded the existing agricultural ventures there including dairy production, cashew processing, and greenhouse tomato cultivation.
He specifically mentioned the partnership with FrieslandCampina WAMCO to develop the dairy value chain as a strong indicator of the hub’s viability.
Highlighting the SAPZ initiative’s broader goal, Dr. Yusuf stated, “The vision is to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector from a raw commodity-based economy into a value-added, export-driven industry. This aligns with the federal ambition to transition Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy.”
He added that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ijaye SAPZ site is tentatively scheduled for August 2, pending final confirmation.
Dr. Yusuf particularly applauded Governor Makinde for funding the Eruwa Agribusiness Hub from state resources after it was initially removed from the federal loan coverage.
“That decision reflects proactive leadership and a deep commitment to agricultural transformation,” he noted.
According to him, the SAPZ initiative is designed to boost local economies, create employment, and eliminate rural poverty by transforming agrarian communities into thriving secondary cities.
Also on the assessment visit were Engr. Ibrahim Bashir Gaya, Co-task Manager, AfDB; Bernard Onzima, Principal Agro-Industry Officer, AfDB; and Dr. Emmanuel Chisesa, Regional Procurement Coordinator, AfDB Nigeria.
The visiting delegation was received and guided around the project site by Dr. Ajetunmobi Akinwumi alongside other agency officials.
The team subsequently visited the Fasola Agro-Industrial Processing Hub and is expected to meet with Governor Makinde to present the outcome of their visit and discuss next steps in the SAPZ project execution.