Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has signed a ₦100 billion joint venture agreement with Songhai Sustainable Initiative in Nigeria and Tribu Limited to overhaul the moribund Heneke Integrated Farm in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.
The agreement establishes Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle that will manage the full-scale redevelopment of the 10,000-hectare site into a dynamic agro-industrial hub.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, signed the agreement on behalf of the government.
Onyia described the MoU as a bold step toward industrialising agriculture and ensuring food security in the state.
He said the partnership would breathe new life into the Enugu Songhai Initiative, transform abandoned assets, and create inclusive growth opportunities. He explained that with the new initiative, the farm, first initiated in 2013, would be reimagined as a multi-sectoral ecosystem featuring crop cultivation, livestock rearing, aquaculture, renewable-energy installations, food-processing facilities, and eco-tourism attractions.
“Plans also include a 25-hectare training and incubation centre to empower youth and women, while generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs along the agriculture and export value chains,” Onyia said.
Speaking, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Hon. Patrick Ubru, described the project as a game changer.
“With our fertile soil, abundant water, and skilled people, Enugu is ready to become Nigeria’s food-production powerhouse. Transparency and strong governance structures will protect state interests,” he said.
Professor Godfrey Nzamujo, Director of Songhai Sustainable Initiative, pledged to bring the group’s technical expertise to bear on the farm project.
He stressed the importance of integrated farming that produces more and better with less.
Project financier and Tribu Limited CEO, Ozor Nnamdi, said the farm would also double as a top-tier agro- and eco-tourism destination.
