According to Nigeria's Vanguard news website, the move was part of the government's efforts to ease problems with a lack of raw materials in the sector.

“We know that is not enough but we have to start from somewhere. We do not even have enough in the Strategic Grain Reserves,’’ he said.

Mr Lokpobiri reportedly said that other problem areas such as a lack of access to credit and issues with poultry meat smuggling would also be addressed soon, whilst emphasising that the poultry sector had a lot of potential to support more jobs for the country's large young population.