Enugu Signs N100 Billion Deal to Revive Heneke Farm into Agro-Industrial Hub

The Enugu State Government has entered into a N100 billion joint venture agreement to revive the long-abandoned Heneke Integrated Farm in Ezeagu Local Government Area, transforming it into a world-class agro-industrial hub.

The agreement, signed on Tuesday at the Government House, Enugu, formalised the creation of Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the rehabilitation, expansion, and management of the 10,000-hectare project.

Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the deal as a milestone in Enugu’s push to industrialise agriculture.

“Today, we formalise a partnership that will breathe new life into the Enugu Songhai Initiative, transform abandoned assets into thriving agro-industrial hubs, and advance food security, regenerative development, and inclusive growth for Ndi Enugu,” Onyia said.

Originally established in 2013 but left incomplete, the farm will now be developed into a multi-sectoral agro-industrial ecosystem. Plans include large-scale crop production, livestock rearing, aquaculture, processing plants, renewable energy systems, and eco-tourism facilities.

The project will also feature a 25-hectare training and incubation centre for youth and women, create thousands of jobs across agriculture and export value chains, and promote modern, sustainable farming practices.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Hon. Patrick Ubru, said Enugu has the resources and manpower to make the initiative a success.

“This initiative will create thousands of jobs, boost food production, and change the mindset of our people towards agriculture. It is going to be an integrated system crop, livestock, aquaculture, processing, export, and eco-tourism driven by the community, private sector, and government,” he explained.

Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo, Director of Songhai Sustainable Initiative, stressed that the project would leverage integrated farming and renewable energy to ensure efficiency.

“We are committed to producing more and better with less. This is about integrated farming that combines crops, livestock, aquatics, renewable energy, and human capital development,” he said, urging young people to embrace agriculture as a pathway to decent livelihoods.

Project financier and CEO of Tribu Limited, Ozor Silas Nnamdi, said the farm would double as a resort and agribusiness model for Africa.

“We are going to build one of the best Songhai resorts in Africa. It is a shame that Nigeria still imports what it eats. This project is proof that we can change that narrative,” Nnamdi stated.

With a capital injection of N100 billion and technical expertise from Songhai and Tribu, the Enugu State Government believes the revitalised farm will strengthen food security, attract investment, and position the state as a leader in modern agribusiness.