The Gombe State Government has received N60 billion from the Federal Government to establish a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone, marking a major step toward transforming the livestock sector in Northern Nigeria.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who announced this during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony in Gombe, described the initiative as a flagship project that will create thousands of jobs, boost local productivity, and position the state as a regional hub for animal processing and trade.
According to him, the N60 billion represents the first tranche of a N120 billion support package pledged by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He praised the Federal Government for prioritising livestock development and for supporting Gombe’s vision of a modern, efficient, and sustainable livestock economy.
The new zone will house several facilities, including an ultramodern abattoir, an international livestock market, fattening hubs, a tannery and leather factory, a livestock feed and grains market, and an inland dry port. The governor noted that these facilities will meet global standards for food safety, processing efficiency, and export readiness.
Highlighting the importance of the Gombe Ultramodern Abattoir, Yahaya said it is designed to transform meat processing not just for the state but for the entire Northern region. He added that the automated facility would enable hygienic, efficient, and globally compliant processing, packaging, and distribution for both local and international markets.
He also noted that the project aims to phase out the outdated practice of transporting live animals under unsafe and costly conditions. Instead, the new model will promote local slaughtering and value-added processing, increasing earnings for farmers, traders, and exporters.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, said the Gombe project aligns with national efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s livestock sector. He stressed that the Federal Government is committed to boosting local processing capacity and reducing the country’s dependence on meat imports.
Maiha revealed that once operational, the facility will have the capacity to process 500 bulls, 1,000 small ruminants, and 3,000 poultry birds daily.
The Gombe Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone is part of a broader strategy to unlock Nigeria’s livestock potential and strengthen the value chain from production through processing to export.
