Gombe’s Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone: A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Livestock Economy

Gombe State Receives N60bn Support From FG for Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone

Gombe State has taken a bold step toward transforming Nigeria’s agricultural future with the establishment of a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone. Backed by a ₦60 billion investment from the Federal Government, this visionary project is part of President Bola Tinubu’s ₦120 billion commitment to revolutionize the country’s livestock sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Building a Modern Livestock Hub

Governor Inuwa Yahaya, during the ground-breaking ceremony, described the initiative as a cornerstone for “a prosperous and sustainable future in livestock development.” The zone is designed with cutting-edge infrastructure to host:

• A state-of-the-art abattoir
• International livestock market
• Fattening hubs
• Tannery and leather processing facilities
• World-class grain and feed production plants
• An inland dry port to facilitate trade

These components will modernize meat and leather processing, eliminate unsafe transportation of live animals, and increase access to global markets with hygienic, export-ready products.

Economic and Social Impact

The industrial zone is expected to:

• Create thousands of jobs across the livestock value chain
• Enhance food safety and public health
• Boost foreign earnings through leather and meat exports
• Reduce import dependence by increasing local capacity
• Drive infrastructure development in the region

The abattoir alone is projected to process 500 bulls, 1,000 small ruminants, and 3,000 poultry birds daily, marking a significant leap in livestock productivity.

Challenges Ahead

While the outlook is promising, the project faces potential hurdles:

• Inadequate road, power, and water infrastructure
• Delays in disbursing the remaining funds
• Shortage of skilled workers for high-tech operations
• Environmental concerns like waste management
• Regional security and policy continuity risks

Successfully navigating these challenges will require strategic planning, stakeholder buy-in, and robust government oversight.

Aligning with National Policy

The Gombe project is perfectly aligned with Nigeria’s agricultural strategy:

• It supports value chain integration and agro-industrialization
• Strengthens the livestock sector, a focus of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development
• Promotes climate-smart practices and sustainable grazing
• Advances export readiness, supporting Nigeria’s trade ambitions

A Model for Replication

More than just a local initiative, the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone offers a template for national agricultural transformation. It reflects a clear move from subsistence farming to commercially viable agribusiness, linking rural producers with global value chains.

For the moment, the ₦60 billion disbursed to Gombe State for the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone is described as the first tranche of a ₦120 billion support package pledged by the Federal Government. However, specific details on how the ₦60 billion is allocated across the various components, such as the abattoir, tannery, feed mills, or dry port, have not been publicly itemized in the available reports1.

However, the funds are intended to cover:

·       Construction of an ultramodern abattoir

·       Development of an international livestock market

·       Establishment of fattening hubs

·       A tannery and leather processing facility

·       A grains and livestock feed market

·       An inland dry port for logistics and export