Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

By Olasunkanmi Olajide

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria, is poised to seal a strategic industry-academia partnership with Chinese investors for the establishment of a modern commercial hatchery farm on seven hectares of land within the campus.

The proposed project, promoted by Olagen Agritech Nigeria FZE, would integrate breeder chicken production and egg hatching, with the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s poultry value chain, enhance food security, facilitate technology transfer and create employment opportunities for young people.

The initiative follows a working visit to FUNAAB on September 22, 2026, during which discussions focused on land cooperation, project implementation and the development of a mutually beneficial partnership between the University and the prospective investors.

At a follow-up meeting held today, October 20, 2026, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, expressed the University’s readiness to facilitate the project within the framework of a mutually agreed contractual arrangement. He reaffirmed FUNAAB’s capacity to enter into lawful partnerships with private-sector organisations to advance agricultural development, research and innovation.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), expected to be signed soon, would establish the framework for the development and operation of the commercial hatchery farm, subject to the final terms agreed upon by both parties.

Beyond commercial poultry production, the proposed partnership is expected to promote international academic engagement, while exposing participants to modern hatchery technologies, improved poultry production systems and international agricultural best practices.

The initiative would reinforce FUNAAB’s commitment to industry-academia collaboration, technology-driven agribusiness and practical agricultural education. It would also present opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity development and the application of innovative solutions to challenges facing Nigeria’s poultry industry.

Upon implementation, the project is expected to contribute to national food security, youth employment, agricultural innovation and sustainable economic growth, while strengthening agricultural cooperation between Nigeria and China.

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