The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its confidence in the viability of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project, citing existing infrastructure as a key enabler for successful implementation.

The assurance was given on Wednesday at the conclusion of a three-day capacity-building workshop for the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), held in Ilorin and facilitated by SAO Capital, the transaction advisory firm overseeing the initiative.

While declaring the workshop open, Commissioner for Livestock Development Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas represented by Permanent Secretary Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya stated that agriculture remains central to the state's economic transformation agenda.

She emphasized the administration's determination to move beyond raw agricultural production toward value-added processing.

"The Governor's commitment is clear: we are building an industrialised agricultural sector," she said. "The necessary infrastructure has been put in place to ensure the success and sustainability of this project."

The training equipped project personnel with technical, financial, and operational skills essential for effective coordination and delivery of the SAPZ initiative, which aims to attract private investment, create jobs, and boost export potential.

"The SAPZ project is a platform to bridge many gaps in our agricultural sector. His Excellency has taken a bold step to key into this initiative to revolutionise agriculture in Kwara and improve the livelihood of our people," Thomas said.

The commissioner urged participants to take advantage of the sessions to strengthen the implementation process.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of KW-SAPZ, Engr. Dr. Busari Toyin Isiaka observed that the workshop was designed to equip staff with technical knowledge in project management, teamwork, stakeholder engagement, and investment portfolio management.

"This is not a routine workshop but a strategic platform to strengthen our capacity in driving the SAPZ vision to transform Kwara into a competitive hub for dairy and beef value chains," he said.

Busari explained that the project would operationalise the Agro-Industrial Hub in Malete and strengthen four Agricultural Transformation Centres located in Afon, Olodan, Kinikini, and Gidan Mangajiya, with sustainable private sector linkages.

The Team Lead of SAO Capital, Mrs. Omotola Agbi, said the training was designed to roll out technical details required for effective delivery, stressing that Kwara's commitment to the project positioned it as a model among participating states.

The workshop featured technical sessions led by Engr. Temitope Famoroti and Dr. Lukman Popoola, covering topics including the overview of agro-industry and processing in Nigeria, project management, and investment strategies.