News
AfDB Dissatisfied With $210m Nigeria Agro-Industrial Zones Project
The African Development Bank has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of the first phase of Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones project, raising concerns about the disbursement of the $210m loan allocated for the initiative.
According to the bank’s latest Implementation Progress and Results Report dated January 30, 2025, obtained from its website by The Tide yesterday, 98.39 per cent of the total loan remains undisbursed more than two years after the project was approved.
The SAPZS-I project was approved in December 2021 as part of efforts to drive agro-industrial development in Nigeria by establishing processing hubs, supporting infrastructure, and improving agricultural productivity.
However, the project has suffered significant delays, leading to warnings from the AfDB and the introduction of remedial measures to hasten implementation.
The report read, “Procurement of supervision consultants for the DBO contractors is at RFP stage in the case of Kaduna State and REOI stage for Oyo, Imo and Cross River State Design Build and Operate bidding documents have been cleared for four states of Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo and Ogun states and Kaduna has already advertised its DBO.
“All these will result in improved implementation, disbursement, and rating in the year 2025. However overall performance status from the time of project approval to date is relatively slow, especially with respect to project disbursement.”
It reveals that of the total loan amount of $210m, only 1.61 per cent has been disbursed as of December 2024
The ADB was to provide $160m of the total loan, while the Africa Growing Together Fund would provide an additional $50m.
Further checks by The Tide showed that AGTF is a $2bn facility sponsored by the People’s Bank of China and administered by the AfDB.
Despite the availability of these funds, the pace of disbursement has been sluggish.
Further breakdown of the figures shows that only 1.93 per cent of the AfDB’s portion of the loan has been disbursed, leaving 98.07 per cent undisbursed.
Similarly, the AGTF’s portion has recorded a disbursement rate of just 0.58 per cent, with 99.42 per cent of the funds yet to be utilised.
The bank identified administrative inefficiencies, weak capacity among project staff, and delays in procurement processes as key factors hindering the disbursement and implementation of the initiative.
The AfDB has also raised concerns about the slow progress in Imo State, which has not commenced any major activities under the project.
Unlike Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo, and Ogun states, which have made some progress, Imo has lagged.
The bank has formally warned the Imo State Government to begin implementation immediately or risk losing its share of the loan.
The report states that the bank has informed “the Government of Imo State on the need to start activities or the bank will recourse to a cancellation of the loan.”
Meanwhile, the bank has also directed the Ogun State Government to provide an acceptable Service Level Agreement to ensure continued funding.
The Tide learned that a service level agreement defines the level of service expected from a vendor, laying out metrics by which service is measured and remedies should service levels not be achieved.
It is often a critical part of any technology vendor contract.
Despite the project’s potential to drive agro-industrial growth, the bank noted that weak capacity among the staff managing the initiative has posed a major challenge.
The National Project Coordinating Unit and Participating State Implementing Units were found to lack the expertise needed to efficiently manage financial resources, procurement processes, and environmental and social safeguards.
The report highlights that, as part of efforts to address these shortcomings, the bank has deployed two experienced consultants to support project staff and ensure they meet the bank’s fiduciary requirements.
Due to the weak capacity at the PSIUs and the NPCU, the bank noted that it is providing “handholding support to both National Coordinating Office at the Federal level and PSIUs in terms of financial management, procurement processes, Environmental and Social Safeguards etc; reinforced by regular technical workshops on Bank fiduciary requirements.
“The Bank has also provided additional two experienced consultants to backstop and hand hold the project staff on the implementation of project activities.”
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector in the State.
The deputy governor particularly urged synergy between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board towards improved healthcare delivery in the State.
?Prof. Odu made this call during the 2026 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
?She stressed the importance of honesty and urged all parties to be truthful and open in addressing challenges within the system.
?According to her, transparency remains critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting healthcare delivery, noting that “if we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up.”
The deputy governor recounted a personal experience at a Primary Health Center where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCIPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to make payment for services.
According to her, intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.
Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme, thereby undermining its objectives.
“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stressed.
?While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, Ministry of Health, Development Partners as well as other supporting units, for their efforts, ty deputy governor stressed that performance should not lead to complacency.
She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and leave lasting positive impacts within the system.
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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the opening of examination slip printing for candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB made the announcement yesterday, urging candidates to visit its website to download their slips ahead of the examination.
“Examination Slip Printing is now available. The slip contains details of the venue, date and time of your examination and gives you access to the examination hall,” the board said.
Candidates are to visit jamb.gov.ng and click on “2026 Slip Printing” to print their slips.
The development comes after JAMB dismissed a viral press release falsely claiming the examination had been postponed.
The board described the notice as “malicious and fake” and urged candidates to disregard it.
The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The examination follows a mock test conducted on Saturday, March 28, which recorded technical difficulties at some Computer-Based Test centres.
Of the 224,597 candidates who registered for the mock, 152,586 sat for the test across 989 CBT centres nationwide.
JAMB said over 20 centres were delisted for technical inadequacies.
The board also warned candidates against fraudsters on WhatsApp claiming to facilitate score inflation, describing such claims as “false and criminal”, and threatening cancellation of registration or withholding of results for any candidate found involved.
Over two million candidates, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, registered for this year’s UTME.
News
RSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
In a decisive step towards redefining its future, the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has formally unveiled its Third Five-Year (2026-2030) Strategic Development Plan.
The development plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen the university’s position as a leading institution in Nigeria and beyond.
The unveiling took place during a high-level engagement with the Governing Council, Principal Officers and the university congregation, at the Convocation Arena, recently.
Delivering his remarks at the unveiling ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor of the university and Chairman of Council, Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, charged all members of the university community to align their activities with the strategic direction of the institution, emphasizing that the success of the plan depends on collective commitment.
He noted that the plan is not merely a document, but a working framework that requires discipline, accountability and unity of purpose.
According to the Pro-Chancellor, only through coordinated efforts from all stakeholders can the university fully realize its vision.
“I hereby invite the Visitor to the University, donor agencies, friends and well-wishers, and all stakeholders to support and fund the implementation of this strategic plan. We are confident that this plan will take RSU to greater heights in the comity of higher institutions,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described the Strategic Development Plan as a document that would enhance the university’s corporate strengths, mitigate current weaknesses, leverage its corporate opportunities and address perceived existential threats.
“This Five-Year Strategic Plan sets out RSU’s goals, strategic objectives, expected outcomes and impact, including intervention strategies,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman of the Strategic Development Planning Committee, Prof. Emeritus Joseph A. Ajienka, noted that the 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan represents a bold reaffirmation of the university’s founding ideals of excellence, creativity, innovation and inclusivity, aimed at positioning the institution to respond effectively to contemporary challenges in higher education.
Prof. Ajienka, who is also a member of the Governing Council, disclosed that the plan was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultative process, which he said reflects contributions from Faculties, Departments, Satellite Campuses and Administrative Units.
At its core, the plan seeks to advance the university’s vision of becoming a “unique and uncommon” institution that is structurally and philosophically oriented towards solving practical societal problems and ranking among the top ten universities in Nigeria.
The strategic framework identifies six key challenges confronting the university, including funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, limited research collaboration, and service delivery inefficiencies.
A statement by the university’s Acting Director, Corporate Affairs, Victor G. Banigo, further stated that the university has articulated four broad strategic goals supported by eight targeted objectives.
A central priority of the plan, according to him, is the strengthening of governance and administrative systems, alongside deliberate efforts to expand the university’s funding base. Others include enhanced alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and innovative fundraising initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
“Equally significant is the commitment to upgrading physical infrastructure across all campuses. Plans are underway to modernize lecture halls and laboratories, expand student accommodation, improve campus security and deploy advanced ICT systems to support teaching, learning and research.
“Recognizing that human capital is the backbone of institutional success, the university has placed strong emphasis on staff development, recruitment and productivity enhancement. Through targeted training programmes, mentorship initiatives and performance management systems, the plan aims to foster a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
“In addition, the university is poised to deepen its focus on research, innovation and entrepreneurship. By reviewing academic curricula, strengthening industry partnerships and establishing innovation incubation centers, Rivers State University seeks to translate research outputs into practical solutions that address societal needs and drive economic growth,” he said.
The PRO disclosed that the implementation of the strategic plan is projected at ?110 billion, reflecting the scale of transformation envisioned.
“While the university is committed to funding a significant portion internally, additional resources will be mobilized through government support, donor agencies, alumni contributions, and public-private partnerships.
“This multi-channel funding strategy aligns with the university’s broader goal of building a resilient and self-sustaining financial model capable of supporting long-term development,” he explained.
To ensure effective implementation, he said, “the plan incorporates a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, complete with performance and impact indicators. A mid-term review is scheduled within the first two years to assess progress and make necessary adjustments.
“Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated Strategic Planning Office will provide oversight, coordination and accountability in executing the plan across all units of the university.”
According to the statement, “As the university embarks on this transformative journey, the message from leadership is clear: the Strategic Development Plan is a collective mandate.
“For staff, students, alumni and stakeholders, it represents an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and advancement of the institution. For the university, it is a pathway to consolidating its legacy while embracing innovation and global relevance.
“With a clear vision, defined priorities and a united community, Rivers State University stands poised to translate this strategic blueprint into measurable progress, advancing knowledge, empowering people and shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria.”
