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In a bold move to reposition Enugu State as a hub of agro-industrial excellence, the state government has signed a landmark N100 billion joint venture agreement with Songhai Sustainable Initiative in Nigeria and Tribu Limited for the rehabilitation and transformation of the moribund Heneke Integrated Farm into a world-class agro-industrial hub.
The deal, signed on Tuesday at Government House, Enugu, formally establishes Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the revitalization, expansion, and management of the project spanning 10,000 hectares of land in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
Governor Peter Mbah, represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the agreement as a milestone in Enugu’s industrialization agenda.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 said.
The governor explained that the farm, originally established in 2013 but left incomplete, would now be transformed into a multi-sectoral agro-industrial ecosystem comprising crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, processing plants, renewable energy systems, and eco-tourism facilities.He disclosed that the project would rehabilitate 10,000 hectares with secured land titles, establish a 25-hectare training and incubation centre for youth and women, create thousands of jobs across agriculture, processing, and export value chains, and promote modern, sustainable farming practices.
Mbah further stressed that the partnership was anchored on a strong governance framework to ensure transparency, compliance with laws, and protection of state interests.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Hon. Patrick Ubru, described the project as sustainable and transformative “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.
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 said.
Ubru added that the project reflected Governor Mbah’s broader mission to position Enugu as Nigeria’s food production powerhouse while attracting foreign investments.With an expected injection of N100 billion in capital and expertise, the project positions Enugu State at the forefront of modern agribusiness, ensuring both food security and economic diversification,” he added.
On his part, Director of Songhai Sustainable Initiative, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo, pledged technical expertise and capacity to deliver on the ambitious project.
“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. All of us must stay committed to succeed,” he said, urging young people to seize the opportunity to embrace agriculture.
Project financier and CEO of Tribu Limited, Ozor Silas Nnamdi, said the project would also serve as a model resort 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. This project is proof that we can change that narrative,” he declared.
