Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gap in poultry production through the ongoing World Bank-assisted project at Eweje Farm Settlement in Odeda.
The project involves the construction of a 100,000-capacity broiler facility under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), with support from the World Bank. It also includes five residential apartments with four bedrooms each and three industrial boreholes.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, gave the assurance while leading a World Bank delegation to inspect the site.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work, describing it as a significant step towards achieving food security. According to him, the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is focused on repositioning the poultry sub-sector for greater productivity.
“In Nigeria, we are only able to meet about 30 per cent of our demand for chicken consumption. But if this facility produces five times a year, we will have about 700,000 birds annually, which is in line with the aspirations of our governor to increase food security in Ogun State and by extension, the entire country,” Owotomo explained.
The commissioner added that the project would not only enhance poultry production but also create jobs and drive development in Odeda and neighbouring areas. He further revealed that similar poultry facilities are underway across the state to complement the Eweje project. A 20,000-capacity poultry pen is currently being constructed in Ijebu Igbo, while 10,000-capacity pens are ongoing in Ilaro and Ajegunle Farm Settlements.
Owotomo noted that the Ajegunle site will feature a processing plant with the capacity to handle at least 5,000 birds per day, a move that could increase the state’s overall capacity to manage an additional 140,000 poultry birds.
Dr. Oluseyi Olugbire, Project Manager of the Agriculture Sector OGSTEP, stated that the programme is already recording positive results. She commended the collaboration between the World Bank and the state government, assuring that the project will transform agriculture, generate employment, and strengthen food security in Ogun State.