Enugu Positions Itself as Nigeria’s Next Livestock Powerhouse as Gov. Mbah Unveils Major Projects

Enugu State has taken bold steps toward becoming a major livestock and agro-export hub as Governor Peter Mbah, represented by Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, flagged off the Integrated Livestock Development Centre in Ubahu, Nkanu East, and commissioned a state-of-the-art L-PRES Model Veterinary Hospital in Akwuke, Enugu South. The twin projects mark a significant push to modernise agriculture and drive the administration’s ambition to lift citizens “from poverty to prosperity.”

Source: vanguardng

Speaking at the unveiling, Ossai described the new veterinary hospital as a crucial asset for strengthening livestock health, boosting disease surveillance, and meeting international food-safety requirements. He noted that global export markets demand strict standards and praised the facility as a game-changer for Enugu’s expanding agro-export vision.

Ossai highlighted Enugu’s strategic location as the gateway to southern Nigeria, a corridor through which a large portion of the nation’s livestock travels from the North. He explained that the new veterinary hospital greatly improves the state’s ability to diagnose and treat animals in transit, enhancing national livestock logistics while raising safety standards across the value chain.

Gratitude was extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, and the L-PRES programme for their support. Ossai also called for deeper collaboration with Enugu State University of Science and Technology to strengthen veterinary education and build a skilled workforce for the industry.

Turning to the flag-off of the Integrated Livestock Development Centre, Ossai described the project as a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural transformation agenda. He said the new centre signals Enugu’s shift from subsistence farming to agribusiness, positioning agriculture as a powerful tool for wealth creation and economic resilience.

The Deputy Governor assured investors that Enugu is ready for business, pointing to major reforms that have reduced risk, improved land access, and strengthened dispute-resolution processes. He revealed that the state has established an agricultural land bank of more than 300,000 hectares to accommodate investors seeking opportunities in livestock and crop production.

Ossai thanked the World Bank, contractors, and technical partners whose work made the projects possible. He urged investors to take advantage of Enugu’s increasingly attractive business environment, adding that the state’s commitment to modern agriculture is already opening new pathways for growth, jobs, and shared prosperity.