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Poultry Industry Contributes Over 25% to Nigeria’s Agricultural GDP — PAN

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The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, says the poultry sector contributes more than 25 per cent to Nigeria’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring its critical role in national food security and employment generation.

The association disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, as part of activities marking the 2025 World Egg Day, celebrated annually on the second Friday of October.
This year’s global theme is “Mighty Egg: Packed with Natural Nutrition.”


Nigeria Leads Africa in Egg Production

A Board Member of PAN (FCT chapter), Mr. Bello Ibrahim, said Nigeria remains the largest egg producer in Africa, generating over 650 million tonnes of eggs annually.

He added that the poultry sub-sector not only drives agricultural growth but also provides direct and indirect employment for more than 25 million Nigerians, representing about 10 per cent of the nation’s population.

“The poultry industry contributes immensely to Nigeria’s agricultural GDP and supports millions of livelihoods. Our farmers are key players in ensuring food and nutrition security,” Ibrahim said.


Smallholder Farmers Face Persistent Challenges

Despite the industry’s contribution, Ibrahim noted that smallholder poultry farmers, who account for over 60 per cent of the sector, continue to grapple with rising costs of feed, day-old chicks, poor access to finance, and inadequate government support.

He said while recent government policies had led to a drop in maize prices, the effect had yet to translate into lower feed costs for most small-scale producers.

“For farmers to benefit from the drop in maize prices, they need at least 8,000 layers to produce their own feed. Unfortunately, most small farmers in the FCT cannot meet this threshold,” Ibrahim explained.

He added that large-scale producers currently dictate market prices due to better access to cheaper feed inputs, leaving smaller operators at a disadvantage.

“If feed prices reflect the actual market reality, production costs would drop, and consumers would enjoy lower egg prices,” he said.


Eggs: Nigeria’s Cheapest Source of Protein

Ibrahim emphasized that World Egg Day serves to raise awareness about the nutritional and economic value of eggs, describing them as the most affordable source of animal protein in the country.

“Given the current economic realities, eggs remain the cheapest source of protein. With between ₦150 and ₦200, anyone can afford an egg,” he said.


PAN Calls for Policy Support and Tax Reliefs

Also speaking, former PAN FCT Chairman, Mr. Chima Wilson, said this year’s theme reflects the nutritional power of eggs, which are rich in protein, vitamins A, E, and B-complex, essential for maintaining health.

He urged the federal and state governments to reduce production costs, improve access to credit facilities, and support farmers through direct interventions.

“Government can assist by purchasing eggs from farmers for use in schools, orphanages, and other vulnerable communities. This will help sustain production and boost nutrition nationwide,” Wilson said.

He further appealed for tax reliefs and incentives for poultry farmers to stimulate investment, stabilize prices, and promote food security.


Key Facts:

  • Sector contribution: Over 25% of Nigeria’s agricultural GDP.

  • Employment impact: Over 25 million Nigerians employed.

  • Production volume: 650 million tonnes of eggs annually.

  • Smallholder dominance: 60% of poultry farmers are small-scale producers.

  • Affordability: An egg costs between ₦150–₦200, making it Nigeria’s cheapest protein source.

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