Nigeria and the People's Republic of China have solidified their strategic partnership with the unveiling of a $450 million poultry initiative, poised to generate over 350,000 jobs and boost agricultural productivity.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani announced the landmark agreement on Thursday during a high-level meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House with Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai and representatives from the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP).
The project, set to kick off its pilot phase in Kaduna, marks a pivotal advancement in bilateral economic and agricultural ties.
Governor Sani described the initiative as a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope" agenda, underscoring Kaduna's emergence as a hub for agro-industrial innovation.
"This is more than a diplomatic engagement, it's a transformative leap toward positioning Kaduna as Africa's premier center for agricultural and industrial excellence," Sani stated.
He commended President Tinubu for designating Kaduna as the pilot location, affirming the state's dominance in Nigeria's farming sector.
"Agriculture drives 43% of our GDP and employs over 60% of our workforce. This collaboration will supercharge productivity, ensure sustainable development, bolster food security, and deliver widespread prosperity," the governor emphasized.
Ambassador Dunhai applauded Kaduna's investor-friendly policies and infrastructure, which have positioned it as a magnet for international capital.
He reaffirmed China's dedication to Nigeria's agricultural modernization and praised the state administration's collaborative spirit with global partners.
NCSP Director-General Joseph Tegbe highlighted the swift approval and allocation of more than 7,000 hectares of land by the Kaduna government to fast-track the project's launch.
Funded under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) via a special purpose vehicle involving the Chinese government and Kaduna State, the project spans 10,000 hectares.
It includes large-scale maize and soybean farming for poultry feed, projecting 50,000 direct jobs and over 300,000 indirect opportunities across the value chain.Construction is slated to begin in December 2025.
Governor Sani pledged continued efforts to foster inclusive growth, enhance food security, and cement Kaduna's role as Nigeria's agricultural powerhouse.
The announcement follows heightened geopolitical tensions, coming days after China cautioned against foreign meddling in Nigeria's internal matters.
This stemmed from U.S. President Donald Trump's directive to the Department of War to prepare for "possible action" amid allegations of "Christian genocide."
Trump urged the Nigerian government to swiftly halt the "killing of Christians" in the country.
