By Isaac Mission
The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has identified the poultry sector as a major avenue for tackling food insecurity, creating employment and expanding wealth opportunities across the country.
The association’s National Vice-President for the South-East, Izuolisa Onu, made the assertion on Wednesday at the opening of the 2026 Eastern International Poultry Summit (EIPS) in Enugu.
Onu described the two-day event as the largest poultry-focused gathering in the South-East, bringing together farmers, industry professionals, experts and exhibitors from within the region and beyond.
He noted that despite the sector’s enormous potential, poultry businesses continue to face significant difficulties. Among the challenges he highlighted were rising feed prices, the increasing cost of day-old chicks, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure and difficulties accessing affordable financing.
According to him, addressing these obstacles would enable the poultry industry to contribute more significantly to Nigeria’s food supply and economic development.
Also speaking at the event, Benjamin Kuja, Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in Enugu, described the summit as timely, stressing the importance of unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry.
Kuja said the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development reflected the Federal Government’s determination to develop the sector, which he described as another major economic resource capable of generating substantial value for Nigeria.
Representing the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, Jonathan Ossai said the state government had made livestock development a priority.
He added that Governor Peter Mbah remained committed to working with PAN and other stakeholders to promote the expansion of poultry and livestock businesses across the state.
Cliff Ogbede, Executive Director of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development at the South-East Development Commission, said agro-industrialisation was part of the commission’s mandate.
Ogbede expressed the commission’s readiness to collaborate with PAN on initiatives aimed at creating employment opportunities and strengthening the poultry industry across the South-East.
The summit is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, showcase innovations and explore opportunities for strengthening poultry production and investment in the region.