The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has described eggs as one of the most affordable and complete sources of protein, meeting up to 13 per cent of daily human nutritional needs.

The association has made the call while commemorating the 2025 World Egg Day, celebrated annually on the second Friday of October to promote eggs as affordable and high-quality nutrition under the theme “Mighty Egg: Packed with Natural Nutrition.”

Speaking in Abuja during an interview, Mrs Yemi Egwudale, Auditor of PAN FCT and Managing Director of Yemi’s Integrated Farms, emphasised that eggs, costing between ₦150 and ₦250, remain a complete diet suitable for all ages.

“Eating two eggs daily provides a quarter of the body’s protein requirement,  a nutritional value difficult to match in many other food items,” Egwudale said.

Egwudale has urged the government to revive the national school feeding programme and ensure that each pupil consumes at least one egg daily due to its affordability and health benefits.

“Egg contains protein, carbohydrates, fat, and healthy cholesterol. One or two eggs daily give a child a fully nourishing diet for learning and development,” she explained.

She stressed that making egg consumption a mandatory part of school meals would improve child nutrition and academic performance while supporting poultry production nationwide.

The PAN official identified insecurity, poor access to veterinary services, and high production costs as major challenges confronting poultry farmers in Nigeria.

According to her, the price of a day-old chick ranges from ₦1,600 to ₦1,900, while raising one to the point of lay costs about ₦9,000, a factor that significantly drives up egg prices for consumers.

Egwudale appealed to the government to subsidise poultry inputs, provide affordable loans, and partner with hatcheries, feed mills, and vaccine producers to make egg production more cost-effective.

“Reducing production costs will make eggs more affordable and accessible to low-income Nigerians,” she added.

She also lamented the worsening security situation in farming areas, revealing that many poultry farmers now operate through proxies due to fear of attacks.

Egwudale called on the government to urgently tackle the issue of rural insecurity, stressing that safeguarding farmers is critical to achieving national food security targets.

“Without safety on farms, production cannot thrive, and Nigeria’s food security ambitions will remain at risk,” she warned.

Source: NAN