Federal lawmakers from Nigeria’s North East geopolitical zone on Thursday expressed strong disapproval of the region’s exclusion from the federal government’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, describing the development as unjust and worrisome.

In an emergency press briefing held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, the North East Caucus, comprising senators and House of Representatives members from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe, called for the immediate inclusion of their region in the multi-billion naira agricultural industrialisation project.

The SAPZ initiative, launched by Vice President Kashim Shettima on April 8 in Kaduna State, will be funded by the Federal Government in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with an initial commitment of $530 million.

The SAPZ programme, which was conceptualised over a decade ago by AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina during his time as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, is seen as a flagship effort to address longstanding challenges in the agricultural value chain, including poor infrastructure and post-harvest losses.

Under the first phase, the programme covers seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Imo, and the FCT.

The lawmakers led by Danjuma Goje, Chairman of the North East Caucus, lamented that despite the North East’s vast agricultural potential and geographical size, it was omitted from the list of beneficiaries in the first phase of the SAPZ project, which aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector through innovation, public-private partnerships, and rural industrialisation.

He said, “On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, His Excellency, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, GCON, in Kaduna State, flagged off the construction of Phase 1 of the SAPZ as part of the present administration’s plan to industrialise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and create sustainable jobs.

“Seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been selected for the programme.

“The North West and South West have two processing zones each – Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, and Oyo states. The South South, South East and North Central have one processing zone each.”

Goje lamented, “Despite its enormous agricultural potential, the North East is conspicuously missing from the list of states allocated the processing zones.

“ SAPZs aim to transform Nigeria’s agriculture landscape through innovation, private-sector investments, and strategic public partnerships.

“The zones are designed to create agro-industrial hubs that integrate farmers with processors, reduce post-harvest losses and expand rural economic opportunities.”

The lawmakers said the exclusion contradicts the objective of equitable development and undermines national efforts to revitalise agriculture. They noted that the North East plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s food supply, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP through livestock and crop farming.

“Even though the National Assembly is currently on recess, members of the caucus cut short their holidays to convene this emergency meeting. That underscores how deeply concerned we are,” Goje added.

The caucus, while commending President Bola Tinubu for supporting the SAPZ programme, urged him to ensure the North East is not left behind in future phases of the initiative.

“This is not only about fairness but also critical to achieving the administration’s goal of industrialising agriculture and creating sustainable jobs,” the caucus said.

The North East lawmakers said they would continue to engage relevant authorities to reverse the exclusion and ensure their region receives the attention it deserves.

They added, “Geographically, the North East is the largest geopolitical zone in the nation, covering nearly one-third of Nigeria’s total area of 272,451 km2 (105,194sq mi). Our potential in all aspects of the agricultural sector cannot be overemphasised.

“Our region, the North East, is known for its enormous livestock and crop growth, contributing significantly to our country’s economic well-being and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“It is against this backdrop that we are extremely worried that our zone is excluded from the SAPZ programme, regarded as a “presidential priority project” and a direct response to the longstanding challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, including poor infrastructure, limited access to markets, and low-value addition.”

The lawmakers further appealed to President Bola Tinubu “for the immediate inclusion of the North East Geo-political Zone in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).

“This is not only for fairness and inclusivity but for the actualisation of the lofty ideals of the present administration to industrialise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and create sustainable jobs in the country.”

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