Abuja, Nigeria – April 10, 2025 – The North-East Caucus of the National Assembly lawmakers has strongly condemned the federal government’s decision to exclude the region from the newly launched Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).
Lawmakers from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States gathered for an emergency closed-door meeting.
They actively expressed their outrage over the oversight during discussions at the National Assembly Complex.
They emphasized the region’s vast agricultural potential, which remains a key driver of Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking after the meeting, Senator Danjuma Goje, the caucus chairman, expressed shock at the exclusion.
“Our contributions to livestock and crop production are undeniable,” he stated.
“Ignoring the North-East undermines both our economic growth and national food security.”
The SAPZ initiative, designed to boost agriculture and create jobs, recently launched in Kaduna with a $530 million investment.
However, the first phase only includes Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the FCT—leaving out the North-East entirely.
The caucus has urgently appealed to President Bola Tinubu to rectify this imbalance.
“Fairness must guide resource allocation,” Goje insisted.
“We demand immediate inclusion to ensure equitable development.”
Hon. Usman Zannah, a House of Representatives member from Borno, echoed this sentiment, stressing that the region has suffered immensely from Boko Haram’s insurgency.
“After years of hardship, we deserve opportunities, not exclusion,” he argued.
This outcry highlights deeper concerns about regional marginalization in national projects.
As the government pushes for agricultural industrialization, the North-East’s omission risks worsening economic disparities.
Lawmakers warn that sidelining a region with such untapped potential could hinder Nigeria’s broader development goals.
The ball is now in the federal government’s court.
Will it address these grievances, or will the North-East continue to be overlooked? For now, the caucus remains vigilant, awaiting a response that could redefine the future of inclusive growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
