The Enugu State Government has signed a ₦100 billion joint venture agreement with Songhai Sustainable Initiative in Nigeria and Tribu Limited to transform the abandoned Heneke Integrated Farm in Ezeagu Local Government Area into a world-class agro-industrial hub.
The deal, signed on Tuesday at the Government House, Enugu, officially created Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the rehabilitation, expansion, and management of the 10,000-hectare project.
Announcing the agreement in a statement, Dan Nwomeh, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Peter Mbah, said it was part of the administration’s efforts to reposition Enugu as a hub of agro-industrial excellence.
Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the project as a turning point in the state’s economic agenda. He said, “Today, we formalize 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.”
He explained that the farm, originally established in 2013 but left incomplete, would be revived into a multi-sectoral ecosystem featuring crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, processing plants, renewable energy systems, and eco-tourism facilities. He added that the project would also establish a 25-hectare training and incubation centre for youth and women, create thousands of jobs across agriculture and processing, and drive modern sustainable farming practices.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Hon. Patrick Ubru, assured that the initiative would be sustainable and impactful. “We have the land, water, good soil, and the right people. This initiative will create thousands of jobs, boost food production, and change the mindset of our people towards agriculture,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Songhai Sustainable Initiative, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo, pledged the organization’s expertise and technical capacity. “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.
On his part, the CEO of Tribu Limited, Ozor Silas Nnamdi, said the farm would not only boost agriculture but also serve as a model for eco- and agro-tourism. “We are going to build one of the best Songhai resorts in Africa. It is a shame that Nigeria still imports what it eats,” he noted.
With the ₦100 billion capital injection, the project is expected to position Enugu State at the forefront of modern agribusiness, ensuring food security, job creation, and economic diversification.