AfDB pinpoints 14 sites for Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in Nigeria

Published

6 years ago

August 6, 2019

The African Development Bank (AfDB), has identified 14 sites for the proposed Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in Nigeria.

Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Special Adviser on Industrialization to AfDB’s President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja.

The bank had met with investors in agricultural products and processing in April to take stock of their current assets with a view to getting support from AfDB where necessary.

Oyeyinka said the 14 identified sites cuts across the six geopolitical zones of the country to ensure inclusiveness.

He said one of the criteria of the projects was to ensure that the SAPZs were spread across the country.

“The Zones identified are in the six geopolitical zones of North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South.

“How quickly each of these zones moves now shows how ready and determined such area is in this project,’’ he said.

The adviser explained that after meeting with the investors in April, a report put together on the project was formalized and submitted to the government.

He said that the bank had received feedback, adding that the government was interested in the project.

According to him, the SAPZs is a framework to ensure that the location of processing facilities are within the areas of agricultural resources.

Oyeyinka said each part of Nigeria was blessed with different crops that were viable to change the economic status of the country positively.

He said the idea was also to bring key anchor investors together as well as the smallholder farmers to work in synergy for the successful implementation of the project.

Oyeyinka said that all smallholder farmers would be organized into cooperatives and Agro-growers groups to boost their capacity to become suppliers to the processing industries.

The adviser said the SAPZs would generate employment, bridge the gap of inequality, and raise the income of rural dwellers as well as secondary towns.

According to him, other benefits of SAPZs are to eradicate mass poverty, reduce rural-urban inequities, achieve food security and also eliminate malnutrition.

He also disclosed that 11 Chinese companies were present in Nigeria for a two-day meeting to interface with local investors for possible collaboration to fast-track the project.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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