Cassava Takes Centre Stage in Nigeria’s Industrial Push, Says Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared cassava a major driver of Nigeria’s new industrial strategy, stating that the crop is central to the Federal Government’s plans to reduce import dependence, promote agro-processing, and boost economic diversification.
Speaking in Abuja at the 2025 World Cassava Day event, Shettima announced that the government’s cassava bioethanol initiative could save the country up to ₦3 trillion annually by cutting the cost of imported fuel additives.
He said Nigeria must move beyond viewing cassava solely as a food crop and embrace its vast industrial potential.
“Our goal is to make cassava a catalyst for economic transformation. It can no longer be treated as just a subsistence crop. It must become the engine of a new industrial future for Nigeria,” Shettima said.
The Vice President outlined how the Tinubu administration, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, is implementing policies to support large-scale cassava production and processing. Over 2,000 tractors and 50 bulldozers have already been mobilised under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, with additional support being sourced through international partnerships with countries such as Brazil and Ethiopia.
Shettima emphasised the government’s shift from subsidy-based interventions to market-driven models that attract private capital and scale innovation. He noted that agro-industrial investments, especially in cassava processing, would play a critical role in job creation and rural development.
One of the leading examples cited is Agbeyewa Farms in Ekiti State, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, which has expanded its cassava farm from 102 hectares in 2023 to over 5,000 hectares in 2025. The company aims to reach 10,000 hectares by 2026, with large investments in ethanol and starch processing.
To complement the cassava drive, the Federal Government has commenced construction of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across selected states. The Vice President recently flagged off the Kaduna and Calabar SAPZs, describing them as crucial hubs that will link farmers to processors, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Shettima reiterated that cassava has multiple uses across industries including energy, food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction. He said the government’s objective is to ensure that Nigeria does not just lead in cassava output but also dominates the global cassava value chain.
He called on state governments, private investors, and research institutions to align with the federal strategy to unlock the full potential of cassava and drive inclusive economic growth.
The Vice President’s remarks reflect a renewed national focus on using agriculture as a foundation for industrialisation, with cassava now positioned at the heart of Nigeria’s economic recovery and development agenda.
