Ekiti State residents are set to benefit from new employment opportunities as a World Bank-supported ultra-modern abattoir is expected to generate 6,000 jobs and stimulate economic growth in the livestock and meat processing sector.
The State Project Coordinator of the World Bank’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe, said the facility would create 2,000 direct jobs and 4,000 indirect employment opportunities when completed.
Adedipe disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti during a community engagement and sensitisation programme themed, “Sustainable Abattoir Operations: A Pathway to Improve Meat Quality, Safety, Social Inclusion and Gender-Based Issues.”
He explained that the abattoir was designed to modernise livestock slaughter processes, strengthen veterinary inspection systems, improve waste management practices, and enhance meat quality and food safety for consumers.
According to him, sustainability of the facility would depend on community ownership, strict compliance with operational standards, and shared responsibility among stakeholders in the livestock and meat value chain.
He stressed that collaboration between government agencies, butchers, veterinary officers, environmental managers, and host communities would be critical to maintaining hygiene, efficiency, and long-term viability.
The project coordinator added that the initiative prioritises the inclusion of women and youths in abattoir operations and related services, in line with the social inclusion and gender equity objectives of the Ekiti State Government.
He noted that the approach would create jobs, promote skills development, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment within the livestock and meat processing sector and communities statewide.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Butchers and Meat Processors Association in Ado-Ekiti, Omotoso Oluborode, commended the state government for providing infrastructure that aligns with modern industry standards.
Oluborode said the ultra-modern abattoir would improve working conditions for operators, enhance professional dignity, reduce health risks from crude slaughter practices, and promote stable income for those engaged in meat processing and distribution across Ekiti State in coming years.
