Quick Summary:
Nigeria and China partner on $900m poultry project to produce six million eggs daily, boost food security, and cut protein deficit.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with China, is set to invest $900 million in large-scale poultry projects aimed at producing six million eggs daily to tackle the country’s protein deficit and strengthen food security.
Joseph Tegbe, Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, disclosed this in Abuja, noting that the initiative marks a shift from infrastructure-based cooperation to agriculture, industrial production, and technology transfer.
According to Tegbe, the plan involves establishing six integrated poultry farms across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, each designed to produce one million eggs daily.
Integrated Facilities With Local Feed Production
Each facility will include hatcheries, abattoirs, power plants, and feed processing units, supported by 10,000 hectares of farmland for maize and soybean cultivation to reduce feed costs, which currently account for 80% of production expenses.
Each poultry complex will require about $150 million, covering land development, irrigation, and infrastructure.
Funding Structure And Repayment Plan
The first two pilot farms in Oyo and Kaduna will be fully financed by the Nigerian government, while the remaining four farms will be funded through an 85-15 counterpart arrangement with Chinese investors.
China will provide 85% of the $656 million required for the remaining projects, while Nigeria contributes 15%. The funding includes a 10-year repayment plan with a three-year moratorium.
Tegbe said the projects are designed to operate commercially, with each farm expected to repay its investment within three and a half years.
Lower Egg Prices And Wider Economic Impact
Tegbe emphasized that reducing feed costs will lower egg prices, making protein more affordable for low-income households.
Currently, eggs sell for ₦250–₦300 each, a price many families struggle to afford. The initiative aims to cut costs and supply excess feedstock to smaller poultry farmers at subsidized rates, with 50% of feed output reserved for local distribution.
Technology Transfer And Private Sector Transition
The poultry complexes will feature modern production technology and temperature-controlled environments, modeled after large-scale farms in China.
Federal officials recently visited a Beijing facility producing 2.5 million eggs daily, which inspired the Nigerian project design.
Construction is expected to begin immediately after final approvals, with egg production projected within six to eight months.
In the long term, the government plans to transfer management to private sector operators and list the projects on the Nigerian Exchange, allowing citizens to buy equity stakes.
