News Investigators/ The Kaduna State Government and the People’s Republic of China have strengthened bilateral relations with the launch of a $450 million Nigeria-China Poultry Project, designed to generate over 350,000 jobs and boost agricultural productivity.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani announced this on Thursday in Kaduna when he received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, and officials of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.
Mr Sani said the project, which would begin its pilot phase in Kaduna, marked a defining step in deepening economic and agricultural cooperation between Nigeria and China.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores Kaduna’s emergence as a hub for agro-industrial development.
“This visit is not merely another diplomatic courtesy, but a defining stride in our mission to attract transformative partnerships that reinforce Kaduna’s position as a continental centre for agricultural and industrial excellence,” Mr Sani said.
The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for selecting Kaduna as the pilot state for the project, describing the choice as an affirmation of the state’s leadership role in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“With agriculture contributing 43 per cent to our GDP and employing more than 60 per cent of our citizens, this partnership will accelerate productivity, sustainable growth, food security and broad-based prosperity,” he added.
Mr Dunhai praised Kaduna’s efforts in creating a stable and business-friendly environment, noting that the state’s policies and infrastructure had made it an attractive destination for global investors.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and lauded the state government’s proactive engagement with development partners.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NCSP, Mr Joseph Tegbe, commended the Kaduna State Government for promptly approving and allocating over 7,000 hectares of land for the immediate take-off of the project.
Under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, the Nigeria-China Poultry Project will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) involving the Chinese Government and the Kaduna State Government. Construction is expected to commence in December 2025.
The project will cover 10,000 hectares, including maize and soybean cultivation for poultry feedstock, and is projected to create 50,000 direct jobs and over 300,000 indirect jobs across the agricultural value chain.
Mr Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnerships that drive inclusive economic growth, enhance food security, and consolidate Kaduna’s position as Nigeria’s agricultural heartland.
NAN
