The Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, has described the poultry industry as one of the fastest pathways to achieving food security, creating jobs and generating wealth in Nigeria.
The National Vice-President of PAN, South-East Region, Izuolisa Onu, stated this on Wednesday during 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 and exhibitors from across the region and beyond.
He, however, expressed concern over the challenges confronting poultry production, including the rising cost of animal feeds and day-old chicks, weak cold-chain logistics and limited access to financing.
According to him, addressing these challenges is essential to unlocking the full potential of the poultry sector and ensuring sustainable growth of the industry.
Onu said the summit provides an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, showcase innovations and explore ways of strengthening poultry production and value chains across the South-East.
Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in Enugu, Benjamin Kuja, described the summit as timely and important to the development of the livestock sector.
Kuja said the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development demonstrated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to harnessing the potential of livestock production.
He described the livestock sector as another potential economic pillar for Nigeria, expressing optimism that its contribution to the nation’s economy would become more evident with time.
Representing the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, Jonathan Ossai said the state government had accorded priority to livestock development.
Ossai said Governor Peter Mbah was committed to partnering with PAN to promote the growth and development of poultry and other livestock businesses in the state.
He noted that stronger collaboration between government and industry stakeholders would help create an enabling environment for farmers and investors in the sector.
The Executive Director of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development at the South-East Development Commission, Cliff Ogbede, said agro-industrialisation was among the commission’s mandates for the region.
Ogbede said the commission was ready to partner with PAN to expand the poultry sector and create employment opportunities across the South-East.
He added that strengthening the poultry industry would contribute to economic development while improving food production and livelihoods in the region.
