Kaduna State secures one of the largest agricultural investments in Nigeria’s history after securing a $450 million Nigeria-China poultry development project, a joint initiative designed to revolutionize the poultry industry, strengthen food production systems, and generate over 350,000 jobs across the state. The project represents a major step forward in agricultural modernization and international collaboration, highlighting China’s growing partnership with Nigeria in economic and infrastructural development.
The announcement came after a high-level meeting between Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, accompanied by top officials from the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP). During the meeting, Governor Sani expressed his deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for choosing Kaduna as the pilot state for this monumental project, calling it a game-changer for local farmers and a catalyst for sustainable economic transformation.
Governor Sani noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing about 43 percent of the national GDP and providing employment to over 60 percent of the population. He emphasized that the new poultry project would not only increase food production and supply but also expand value chains, create market opportunities for farmers, and drive inclusive growth across both rural and urban areas. According to him, the initiative will also help reduce the country’s dependence on poultry imports by promoting local production and export-oriented agribusiness.
Under the new Nigeria-China partnership, Kaduna State has already allocated 7,000 hectares of land for the project’s immediate implementation. This land will host modern poultry farms, feed mills, hatcheries, processing facilities, and training centers for farmers and agricultural professionals. The construction phase, scheduled to begin in December, will be managed under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) jointly backed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Chinese Government.
The Director-General of the NCSP, Joseph Tegbe, revealed that the partnership aims to create a sustainable poultry ecosystem through technology transfer, capacity building, and improved farm management. He added that the project will introduce advanced Chinese farming techniques, helping local farmers improve productivity, enhance disease control, and reduce production costs. Tegbe stated that the poultry sector holds great potential for Nigeria’s food security goals, and this collaboration could serve as a model for future agribusiness partnerships across Africa.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, praised Kaduna State for its proactive approach toward industrializing its agricultural sector. He highlighted that within just a few years, Kaduna has transitioned from a traditional farming and textile-based economy to a fast-growing agro-industrial hub. This, he said, aligns perfectly with President Tinubu’s vision of achieving national food security and economic independence through large-scale agricultural investments.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, commended Governor Sani’s administration for its commitment to meeting and even surpassing the Malabo Declaration, which recommends that at least 10 percent of national budgets be allocated to agricultural development. He noted that Kaduna’s hosting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security further solidified its position as a leading state in agricultural innovation and rural transformation.
The $450 million poultry project is expected to bring immense socio-economic benefits, from direct and indirect job creation to infrastructure development, skills enhancement, and rural empowerment. It will also contribute to Nigeria’s export potential by building a more competitive poultry industry capable of meeting regional demand. Beyond economic gains, the initiative promises to uplift thousands of smallholder farmers, enhance nutritional standards through increased poultry consumption, and boost women and youth participation in agribusiness.
As Kaduna begins this transformative journey, the Nigeria-China partnership stands as a beacon of progress—showing how international cooperation, strategic planning, and local commitment can drive sustainable agricultural growth and lay the foundation for a stronger, self-reliant Nigeria.
