‘Pilot phase will begin in Kaduna’ — Uba Sani announces $450m Nigeria-China poultry project

Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have further deepened their bilateral relations with the launch of a $450 million Nigeria-China poultry project aimed at creating over 350,000 jobs and enhancing agricultural output.

Uba Sani, the state governor, announced the deal on Thursday in Kaduna when he received Yu Dunhai, Chinese envoy to Nigeria, and officials of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

Sani, according to NAN, said the project, which will commence its pilot phase in Kaduna, represents a significant step in deepening economic and agricultural cooperation between the two nations.

He said the project also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘renewed hope’ agenda and highlights Kaduna’s growing reputation as a centre for agro-industrial advancement.

“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,” Sani said.

The governor praised Tinubu for selecting Kaduna as the pilot state for the initiative, stating that the decision reaffirms the state’s leading position in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

“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.

In his remarks, Dunhai lauded Kaduna’s efforts to create a stable and business-friendly environment, noting that the state’s policies and infrastructure have made it an attractive destination for global investors.

He reiterated China’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and praised the state government for its proactive collaboration with development stakeholders.

Also speaking, Joseph Tegbe, the director-general of NCSP, commended the state government for promptly approving and allocating over 7,000 hectares of land for the project’s immediate commencement.

The Nigeria-China poultry project, under the renewed hope infrastructure fund (RHIF), is expected to be implemented through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) involving the Chinese government and Kaduna.

The project will reportedly cover 10,000 hectares, involving maize and soybean cultivation for poultry feed production, and is expected to generate approximately 50,000 direct jobs and more than 300,000 indirect jobs within the agricultural value chain.

With construction expected to begin in December 2025, Sani restated his government’s commitment to building partnerships that promote inclusive economic growth, strengthen food security, and reinforce Kaduna’s status as Nigeria’s agricultural hub

The latest deal comes days after China warned against interference in Nigeria’s affairs after the United States’ (US) threat of military action.

President Donald Trump had asked the US department of war to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria over claims of “Christian genocide”.

Trump warned the Nigerian government to act fast to end the “killing of Christians” in the country.