Nigeria’s poultry sector is gearing up for a significant transformation with the launch of the US$1 billion National Integrated Poultry Project (NIPP), part of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP).
Unveiled in early 2026, this ambitious initiative aims to enhance the production of eggs and broilers while addressing ongoing feed shortages and dependency on imports. Initial implementation is currently underway in the states of Enugu, Kaduna, and Oyo, with plans for a broader national rollout anticipated in 2027.
Joseph Tegbe, the director-general of NCSP, made the announcement at the Chinese New Year Temple Fair in Abuja, coinciding with the celebration of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China. The project’s pilot phase emphasizes integrated farming, merging poultry rearing with large-scale cultivation of maize and soybeans to ensure a consistent supply of feed.
Aiming for 6 Million Eggs Daily
The NIPP features a comprehensive strategy that encompasses feed production, hatcheries, layer and broiler farms, processing facilities, cold storage, and distribution networks. Once fully operational, the initiative hopes to maintain over 7 million laying birds and 2 million broilers, targeting a production goal of 6 million eggs per day.
Additionally, the project involves the cultivation of 60,000 hectares of crops specifically for feed, tackling Nigeria’s ongoing poultry feed crisis driven by rising prices and supply shortages.
Subsidized feed will also be made available to existing smallholder farmers, stabilizing costs beyond the newly established facilities. The initiative will promote technology transfer through scholarships and collaborative research efforts under the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, fostering long-term development in agriculture technology and poultry management.
State-Level Contributions and Employment Generation
Kaduna State is set to spearhead a US$200 million component covering 10,000 hectares, integrating feed crop production, processing, and logistics to create thousands of job opportunities and generate substantial economic output. Enugu and Oyo will serve as pilot sites to test the scalability of the project before its full launch in 2027.
The initiative is projected to create tens of thousands of direct employment opportunities in farming and processing, along with numerous indirect jobs through associated supply chains.
Wider Economic Implications
In addition to reducing reliance on poultry imports, the NIPP aims to enhance food security and lower consumer prices for eggs and meat. This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader objectives of achieving agro-industrial self-sufficiency and potentially establishing future exports of processed poultry products. As of March 2026, early reports from the pilot programs indicate promising progress towards these ambitious goals.
