Nigeria Targets Poultry Industry with New Processing Plants, Large-Scale Investments

News in brief:

-Ogun and Kaduna States are rolling out major poultry processing and production projects backed by public and private investment.

-The initiatives align with Nigeria’s National Livestock Master Plan, which prioritises poultry as a key value chain for food security.

Nigeria’s poultry industry is attracting renewed attention from public authorities and private investors as several states roll out projects aimed at expanding production and processing capacity to meet rising domestic demand for chicken and eggs.

Ogun and Kaduna states have recently announced major poultry initiatives, reflecting a broader push to strengthen livestock value chains and reduce dependence on imports.

Ogun Commissions Poultry Processing Facility

Ogun State has commissioned a poultry processing facility with the capacity to handle 5,000 birds per day, equivalent to about 1.3 million birds annually, according to local media reports.

The facility is located at the Ajegunle agricultural site in Odeda Local Government Area. It forms part of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, which is supported by World Bank financing.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, said the plant aligns with the state’s strategy on value chain development and agro-industrial processing zones, positioning Ogun as a poultry production and processing hub.

Kaduna Unveils $200m Poultry Project

On the same day, Kaduna State authorities announced plans to launch a poultry project valued at $200 million, described by the state government as one of the largest poultry investments currently planned in Nigeria.

Governor Uba Sani said the project is projected to generate more than $450 million in annual revenue and support approximately 350,000 direct and indirect jobs once fully operational.

Beyond increasing output, the initiative is expected to introduce industrial-scale egg and poultry production systems through technology partnerships with Chinese firms involved in modern agribusiness.

National Policy Backdrop for Livestock Investment

The state-level announcements coincide with broader federal efforts to attract investment into livestock production, particularly poultry farming.

In September 2025, the Ministry of Livestock Development presented the National Livestock Master Plan, a five-year framework developed with technical support from the International Livestock Research Institute.

The plan identifies poultry as a priority value chain alongside cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and animal feed systems, with interventions covering genetics, animal health, feed supply, market access and research coordination.

Authorities say the strategy aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported animal protein as population growth and urbanisation continue to drive demand for meat and eggs.

Import Pressures and Industry Challenges

Despite a ban on chicken meat imports introduced in 2003, industry analysts say illegal poultry products continue to enter Nigeria due to gaps in domestic supply.

Olam Agri estimates that poultry meat worth between $150 million and $200 million is smuggled into the country annually.

High feed costs linked to maize and soy supply constraints, disease risks, biosecurity gaps and limited access to finance remain major challenges for producers, particularly small-scale farmers.

The National Livestock Master Plan projects that targeted investment in feed systems could raise farm productivity by 40 per cent, while improved vaccination coverage could cut animal mortality by up to 65 per cent, although effective implementation remains a key concern.

According to data from the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Nigeria’s chicken population stood at an estimated 809.8 million birds in 2024.

With new processing facilities, large-scale investments and policy support coming on stream, authorities believe the poultry sector could play a central role in improving food security, creating jobs and stabilising prices across the livestock value chain.