Poultry industry remains one of the fastest pathways to achieving food security — PAN

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) says the poultry industry remains one of the fastest pathways to achieving food security, creating jobs and generating wealth in Nigeria.

Izuolisa Onu, National Vice-President of PAN, South-East Region, said this on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the two-day Eastern International Poultry Summit (EIPS) 2026 in Enugu.

Onu described the summit as the biggest poultry exhibition in South-East Nigeria, bringing together poultry farmers, industry experts, exhibitors and other stakeholders from across the region and beyond.

He, however, expressed concern over the challenges confronting the sector, including the rising cost of poultry feed and day-old chicks, weak cold-chain logistics and limited access to finance.

He said addressing the challenges was critical to unlocking the potential of the poultry industry and strengthening its contribution to food security and economic development.

Benjamin Kuja, Zonal Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Enugu, described the summit as timely and important.

Kuja said the establishment of the ministry demonstrated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to harnessing the potential of the livestock sector.

He described livestock as “another oil for Nigeria,” saying its full potential would unfold with time.

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Jonathan Ossai, who represented Patrick Ubru, Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, said the state had continued to prioritise livestock development.

Ossai said Gov. Peter Mbah was committed to partnering with PAN to promote the growth and development of poultry and other livestock businesses in the state.

Similarly, Cliff Ogbede, Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, South-East Development Commission, said agro-industrialisation in the region was part of the commission’s mandate.

Ogbede said the commission would partner with PAN to create jobs and expand the poultry sector across parts of the South-East.