FG Tightens Poultry Import Oversight To Address Supply Gaps

The federal government has announced plans to strengthen oversight of poultry import allocations and enforce stricter performance measures for operators as part of efforts to address supply shortages and boost growth in Nigeria’s poultry industry.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during a meeting with the managing director of Valentine Chickens, Leon Gunter, and the company’s national operations manager, Samuel Adediji, in Abuja.

Maiha expressed concern over the underutilisation of approved poultry import quotas, which industry assessments indicate has contributed to shortages of day-old chicks and rising production costs for farmers.

According to the minister, government interventions in the sector must deliver measurable benefits to poultry producers and consumers.

He said future import allocations would be closely monitored and linked to performance to ensure approvals translate into increased production and improved access for farmers.

“There is no reason why opportunities created through government support should not translate into increased production. Once approvals are granted, we expect implementation,” he said.

Maiha added that the government’s objective was to reduce barriers to entry for farmers, improve affordability and promote sustainable growth across the poultry value chain.

During the meeting, Valentine Chickens presented a proposal for a $5.6 million investment in local grandparent stock production infrastructure aimed at reducing dependence on imported parent stock and strengthening domestic poultry production.

The proposal, developed in partnership with poultry genetics company Aviagen, includes plans for specialised breeding facilities and enhanced biosecurity systems.

Gunter said the investment would expand Nigeria’s poultry production capacity by improving access to high-quality breeding stock.

According to projections presented by the company, annual imports of 116,800 grandparent breeding chicks could generate about two million parent stock females, leading to the production of up to 273 million commercial broiler chickens annually.

Maiha also disclosed that the ministry was establishing a centralised national database to track imported grandparent and parent stock eggs and chicks as part of efforts to improve regulation and transparency in the sector.

He said the initiative would expand access to poultry inputs, support smallholder farmers and boost local production to meet the growing demand for poultry products nationwide.