The national vice-president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, South-East Region, Izuolisa Onu, says the poultry industry remains one of the fastest pathways to food security, job creation, and wealth generation.

Mr Onu said this on Wednesday, during the opening ceremony of a two-day Eastern International Poultry Summit (EIPS), 2026, ongoing in Enugu. He described the summit as the biggest poultry show in South-East Nigeria.

He, however, expressed concern over numerous challenges facing the industry, including the high cost of feeds and day-old chicks, weak cold-chain logistics, and limited access to finance.

Mr Onu said the summit would bring together poultry farmers, experts and exhibitors from across the South-East region and beyond.

Benjamin Kuja, zonal coordinator at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Enugu, described the summit as timely and important.

Mr Kuja said the creation of the Ministry for Livestock Development showed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to harness the potential of the livestock sector. According to him, the livestock sector is another oil for Nigeria and will unfold in time.

Jonathan Ossai, who represented the commissioner for agriculture and agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, said the state accorded priority to livestock development. He said that Governor Peter Mbah was committed to partnering with the association to ensure the growth and development of poultry and other livestock businesses.

Cliff Ogbede, the executive director of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, South-East Development Commission, said part of the commission’s mandate is agro-industrialisation in the region.

Mr Ogbede said the commission would partner with PAN to create jobs and expand the poultry sector in parts of the region.

(NAN)