Nigeria State Opens Plant to Process 1.3M Chickens Yearly

A new poultry processing plant in Nigeria could help solve a problem that costs the country billions while creating thousands of jobs for young people.

Ogun State just opened a facility at Ajegunle Farm Settlement that can process 5,000 birds daily. That adds up to 1.3 million chickens per year, a significant boost for a country that currently imports about 70 percent of its poultry needs.

The World Bank-backed project is already drawing private investors to the area. One company recently built a 13,000-bird poultry pen at the settlement, which now houses about 400 farmers.

The facility includes blast freezers, cold rooms, waste processing equipment, and a warehouse with offices. These upgrades make it easier for farmers to store and sell their products without losing money to spoilage.

Agriculture Commissioner Bolu Owotomo says the investment addresses a real need. Nigerians eat less than 2 kilograms of chicken per person each year, compared to 46 kilograms in Brazil and 36 kilograms in South Africa.

Despite official bans on imported frozen poultry, smuggled chicken continues entering Nigeria's markets. Local producers struggle to meet demand, and post-harvest losses across the country total about $2.3 billion annually.

The new facility is part of a larger push. Ogun State has completed 28 agricultural projects in the past two years through various programs aimed at increasing food production and improving farmer income.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond processing chickens, the plant represents a shift toward food independence for Africa's most populous nation. Similar facilities at Eweje Farm Institute and a cassava processing plant in Ilaro are helping farmers add value to their products instead of selling raw goods at lower prices.

State officials are encouraging farmers to take ownership of the facilities through public-private partnerships. Strong monitoring systems will help ensure the projects remain sustainable long-term.

The government's plan includes training programs and residential housing for farmers, making agriculture more attractive to younger Nigerians who might otherwise migrate to cities for work.

As more facilities come online and private investment grows, Ogun State is positioning itself as Nigeria's leading poultry hub. For a country working to feed 200 million people, that's progress worth celebrating.