Enugu targets Q4 2027 for first phase of $18m ranch

• Earmarks over 12,000 hectares, 60% for livestock production

By** Beifoh Osewele**

Enugu State Government has slated fourth quarter of 2027 for the first phase of its over $18 million livestock ranch at Owo, Nkanu East Local Government Area, to become substantially ready and operational.

The ambitious project, covering over 12,000 hectares, is being developed in phases, with about 60 per cent of the land designated for livestock production.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this while leading members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on a tour of project sites in the state.

“This is a massive project, so it will come in phases. What you are seeing now is the beginning. Our target is that by the fourth quarter of 2027, we should have the first phase substantially ready and operating. As we develop the model, other parts will follow.”

Onyia described the project as Enugu’s attempt to establish a modern ranching model in the South-East, stressing that the portion currently under development represented only a fraction of the entire project area.

“Our first model of what a ranch can look like in the South-East is what you are seeing here. This is huge. Sixty per cent of it will be for livestock. This is not just what you are seeing here. It is over 12,000 hectares. What you are seeing here is only a part of it.

“It is almost slightly bigger than the new city. It is bigger. What you are seeing here, all the way back towards Ebonyi State, is part of the project.”

On land acquisition, the SSG said the government had engaged the affected communities and landowners, adding that the land had been legally acquired and gazetted.

He said assessment and valuation would determine compensation for those entitled to it.

On financing, Onyia said the state would provide about one-third of the project cost, while the balance would come through a sovereign-backed financing arrangement.

“We are creating the infrastructure. We are creating the environment. We are putting in the initial investment that will make it possible for businesses to come in and operate.”

He said the state would also provide critical infrastructure, including an access bridge, and make the initial livestock investment before opening the facility to more private operators.

“The project is going to construct the bridge that will bring people in here.

“We are going to do most of the livestock initial seed investment.

“So, as we model and get there, then we will now open it up. There will be components.”

Onyia said the ranch was being conceived as an open commercial venture rather than an enclave for any ethnic or regional group.

“There will be provision for people from different parts of the country who are already involved in the business.

“The idea is to create a proper business environment where they can operate within the rules.”

According to him, the ranch will include livestock production, supporting infrastructure, security, resting areas and other commercial services required for an organised livestock economy.

“What we are doing is creating an ecosystem. You will have the livestock component. You will have the infrastructure. You will have places where people can do their businesses.

“There will be resting areas. There will be security. There will be the supporting services that a project of this size requires.

“The whole idea is that when you bring livestock here, you are bringing them into an organised environment.”

Onyia said the government also planned to participate directly in some aspects of the ranch’s commercial operations, with the intention of generating revenue for the state while creating jobs and opportunities for private businesses.

“We bring the people and hire them at industry rate and get the revenue back to the state.

“So, the whole concept is not just to spend money. It has to be commercially viable. It has to create jobs, create businesses and create revenue.”

He said the project was ultimately intended to demonstrate that livestock production could operate as a structured commercial activity supported by infrastructure, security and regulation.

“This is not about bringing people somewhere and allowing them to occupy land. It is a business. We are building the infrastructure, defining the rules and creating the environment where livestock business can take place in an organised way.”

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