.Bank pledges to support Nigeria in human capital development 

.Shettima meets St. Kitts Prime Minister to strengthen Africa-Caribbean ties

.Departs New York for Germany to attend Deutsche Bank talks 

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

Nigeria has sought enhanced funding commitment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to operationalise the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).

SAPZ Phase 2, which is expected to scale up climate-resilient infrastructure and inclusive agro-industrial growth across an additional 24 states, expanding from the initial eight states and the FCT, is aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s mono-product economy to value-added agricultural export.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made the request weekend in New York, United States, during a bilateral meeting with AfDB’s President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Justifying the country’s request, the Vice President, in a release issued on Sunday by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, said Nigeria is the largest shareholder in AfDB and its portfolio hovers in the neighbourhood of over $10 billion.

“We urge you to further support us in the phase 2 Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ). You assisted us with $300 million when you were in Liberia. We want to thank you, but like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more because we are poised to diversify our mono-product economy into agriculture, especially value-added agricultural export.

“And we have the potential in all the agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. From the mangrove forest swamps in the south to the Sahelian region in the far north, you can virtually grow anything. In states like Kebbi, the soil is very fertile,” he emphasised.

Shettima added that Nigeria boasts a resourceful youth population that is development-oriented and eager to be co-opted into the workforce of the 21st century.

He implored the AfDB President to also look into the issue of the bank’s support for innovation-driven enterprises, instead of focusing only on MSMEs, noting that the digital space offers a vista of opportunities for Africa’s development.

“We can catalyse and accelerate the digital space in Africa. Already, out of the eight unicorns in Africa, five are from Nigeria – Moniepoint, Jumia, and the rest. We want to once again reiterate that we are with you, we are for you, and we will stand by you,”  Shettima told Dr Tah.

In his remarks, Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, sought the support of the bank for the Pan African Great Green Wall Initiative, especially Nigeria’s Great Green Wall Project.

He said, “I want to appeal for the extension of your support to Nigeria’s National Agency for the Great Green Wall. The agency is responsible for containing desertification in the Sahelian part of Africa. I also want to plead that you look at what we have done so far in addressing environmental degradation in the 11 frontline States.

“We have already submitted our proposal to the Ministry of Finance on the issue of clean cooking policy, which is also directly linked to the afforestation process. It is important because it will address two issues of deforestation and health.”

Also speaking, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, appealed to the AfDB boss to support the ministry in addressing the housing deficit, adding that the housing sub-sector needs substantial funding.

In his remarks, AfDB’s President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, assured that under his leadership, the bank will spare no effort to provide Nigeria with the support it deserves in terms of developing its human capital.

“My vision for the bank is not as a lending institution, but as a catalyst institution with which to mobilise resources and capital from all over the world to Africa. I hope we can really bring capital to the continent to make the transformation of our continent possible and bring value to the agricultural sector.

“This is why my four cardinal points are: mobilise large-scale capital through partnerships, reform Africa’s financial architecture, convert the continent’s demographic dividend into economic strength for job creation, and industrialise Africa by harnessing its natural resources to add value and build resilient infrastructure.

“These points form my roadmap to guide the bank’s strategy and accelerate Africa’s development, and I’m confident that with your support, the bank will be able to bring transformation to the continent,” the AfDB President said.

Earlier,  the Vice President held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, where they recommitted to strengthening economic and cultural ties.

Shettima assured Drew of President Bola Tinubu’s determination to rekindle friendship and brotherhood between both nations.

He said, “Going forward, we should have robust engagement and understanding. We should stand by each other. We should stand for one another. We should support each other’s interests.

“For St. Kitts and Nevis, and Nigeria, what binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. The majority of the population of the Caribbean is of African descent. A large chunk of them are English-speaking countries. Quite a number of them belong to the Commonwealth. So, the commonalities we share are so significant, but contact has been low, relative to what it ought to be.

“So, your Excellency, I want to assure you that my boss is very keen on rekindling that friendship, that sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, and see to it that going forward, we should have robust engagement and understanding,” he added.

The Vice President further recalled that President Tinubu was in Saint Lucia earlier in the year, as part of his broader package of reaching out to Caribbean-Africans in the diaspora.

On his part, Dr Drew, who decried the low level of trade and contact between Caribbean countries and Africa, expressed the country’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria to boost trade on the African continent.

Meanwhile, the Vice President on Sunday departed New York, United States, after  representing President Tinubu at the 80th week-long session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.

The Vice President, according to a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, left for Germany where he is scheduled to hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank to explore areas of intervention and partnership in Nigeria’s developmental initiatives.

During his participation at UNGA 80,  Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat. 

He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.

The Vice President delivered President Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, even as he demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.

He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.

The Vice President will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.

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