By Mercy Gadia Adi
The North East Caucus of the National Assembly on Thursday expressed strong disapproval over their region’s exclusion from the Federal Government’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program, describing the development as unjust and worrisome.
The National Assembly North East Caucus, led by Chairman Senator Danjuma Goje disclosed this during a press briefing held at the national assembly complex, Abuja.
Senator Goje 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.
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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 industrialization project.
The SAPZ program, launched by Vice President Kashim Shettima on April 8, 2025, aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through innovation, private-sector investments, and strategic public partnerships, with an initial commitment of $530 million.
The SAPZ program is designed to create agro-industrial hubs that integrate farmers with processors, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand rural economic opportunities. However, the exclusion of the North East region has raised concerns about the potential impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of millions of people in the region.
“Despite its enormous agricultural potential, the North East is conspicuously missing from the list of states allocated the processing zones,” Goje said.
According to Goje, the North East is the largest geopolitical zone in Nigeria, covering nearly one-third of the country’s total area. The region is known for its enormous livestock and crop growth, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic well-being and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “Our potential in all aspects of the agricultural sector cannot be overemphasized,” Goje added.
The lawmakers further appealed to President Bola Tinubu for the immediate inclusion of the North East Geo-political Zone in the SAPZ program, citing fairness, inclusivity, and the need to actualize the administration’s goal of industrializing Nigeria’s agricultural sector and creating sustainable jobs.
“This is not only about fairness but also critical to achieving the administration’s goal of industrializing agriculture and creating sustainable jobs,” the caucus said.